Turaki-Led PDP Declares Jonathan Sole Presidential Candidate for 2027

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by former Minister of Special Duties Tanimu Turaki has declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The announcement was made on Tuesday in Abuja by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who is serving on the PDP Presidential Screening Committee established by the party’s interim leadership.

Aliyu told journalists after the screening exercise that Jonathan had been formally cleared as the only presidential aspirant under the faction’s platform.

According to him, the party granted Jonathan a special waiver based on his extensive political experience and previous service at multiple levels of government.

“As you know, the party had already given a presidential aspirant the waiver,” Aliyu said.

He explained that Jonathan’s political record — having served as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president — meant there was little need for additional screening.

“In other words, he had been declared as the candidate of PDP for the presidential election,” he added.

Aliyu also confirmed that Jonathan currently remains the only contender seeking the presidential ticket under the Turaki-led faction.

The latest development further deepens the leadership and structural crisis currently facing the PDP, which has been divided into rival blocs amid growing tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The party has experienced prolonged internal disputes over leadership, conventions and control of its national structure, leading to multiple court cases and factional activities.

Only days earlier, another faction of the PDP reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, screened Sandy Onor as its own sole presidential aspirant.

The parallel screening exercises have intensified uncertainty over which faction would eventually secure legal recognition ahead of the elections.

Jonathan’s emergence as the preferred candidate of the Turaki-led camp is expected to significantly reshape opposition politics if he eventually accepts the nomination and formally enters the race.

The former president has repeatedly maintained a cautious position regarding calls for him to contest again.

Recently, Jonathan told youth groups urging him to return to politics that contesting for the presidency was “not a computer game” and promised to consult widely before making any decision.

Legal debates have also emerged over his eligibility to run again, with a case already before the Federal High Court seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 election on constitutional grounds.

Supporters of Jonathan argue that his administration was associated with relative economic stability and democratic consolidation, while critics maintain that constitutional questions surrounding term limits remain unresolved.

Meanwhile, the PDP screening committee also cleared aspirants for governorship and legislative positions across several states including Taraba State, Adamawa State, Kano State, Akwa Ibom State and Delta State.

Aliyu insisted that despite internal crises and defections, the PDP remained strong enough to contest the next general election.

“We are very happy that even those who have been attempting to kill the party cannot succeed,” he stated.

Political observers say the announcement signals an intensifying battle within Nigeria’s opposition ahead of 2027, especially as parties continue to experience alliances, defections and internal restructuring.