PDP Fixes Date To Formally Announce Jonathan As Presidential Candidate

The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold a special national convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally announce former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Naija News reports that the gathering is expected to take place at the ‘A’ Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, and will begin by 10am.

Invitations for the event were signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organizing Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan.

According to details contained in the invitation, the convention is meant to complete the process of endorsing Jonathan as the party’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the next general election.

The move is part of several actions already taken by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction to push the former president into the race.

Earlier in May, the faction’s screening committee approved a waiver for Jonathan and cleared him as the only aspirant seeking the presidential ticket.

The committee was led by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu. He explained that Jonathan’s years in public office played a part in the decision to approve his participation.

Jonathan previously served as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president.

After the screening process, the faction also organized a presidential primary on Wednesday ahead of the ratification event scheduled for Saturday.

The development comes shortly after a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that Jonathan could still contest the presidency in 2027.

Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit seeking to stop the former president from joining the race.

The judge ruled that the plaintiff had no legal standing to file the case because there was no proof of personal loss caused by Jonathan’s possible ambition.

The court also noted that earlier judgments delivered by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest.

The ruling was welcomed by the faction, which said the judgment removed every obstacle against Jonathan’s participation in its presidential primary. The group also described the court action against the former president as a misuse of the judicial process.