A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, has formally adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The endorsement was ratified on Saturday at a special national convention held at the faction's national secretariat in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
Although Jonathan was not present at the event, delegates unanimously approved his nomination, while Bayelsa lawmaker Fred Agbedi received the Certificate of Return on his behalf.
The convention attracted members and stakeholders loyal to the Turaki-led faction, who expressed confidence that Jonathan's candidacy would strengthen the party's chances in the forthcoming presidential election.
The development came despite strong opposition from the rival PDP faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, which had earlier distanced itself from reports linking the former president to its 2027 presidential ticket.
In a statement released on Friday, the faction's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described claims that Jonathan would emerge as the PDP's presidential candidate as false and unauthorised.
He maintained that the faction had already concluded its presidential primary and produced Senator Sandy Onor as its candidate for the 2027 election.
"The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party," the statement read.
Mohammed urged party members and the public to disregard reports of any planned convention to endorse Jonathan, insisting that such information was intended to mislead the public and create confusion within the political system.
The Wike-aligned faction also called on security agencies to investigate those behind the reports and prosecute anyone found culpable of spreading false information capable of causing political tension.
It further urged Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the endorsement exercise in order to protect his reputation and preserve confidence in the democratic process.
According to the faction, all its primary elections, including those for governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly and the presidency, were conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines and the party's constitution.
The emergence of Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the Turaki-led faction is the latest indication of the deep divisions within the PDP, with rival groups continuing to operate parallel structures and advance competing political interests ahead of the 2027 general election.
Political analysts believe the conflicting positions could further complicate efforts to unify the party as preparations for the next election cycle intensify.
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