A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki on Saturday declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The decision was taken at a special national convention held at the faction’s national secretariat in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
The group had planned to hold a special national convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, but moved its activities to its operational office in Garki after security operatives sealed off the venue.
Jonathan was not present at the event where his nomination was formally ratified, but his Certificate of Return was received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi.
The development was announced during the gathering attended by delegates and party stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led group.
Addressing supporters outside the barricaded venue, Turaki accused unnamed political interests of attempting to undermine democracy through intimidation and abuse of power.
“No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think that they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons,” he stated.
He urged party members to remain peaceful, insisting that political disagreements should be resolved through elections rather than violence.
“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. We will meet you there, we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground,” he said.
Turaki also defended the faction’s decision to proceed with the convention despite not being recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, arguing that its actions were backed by court judgments and the PDP constitution.
“What we are doing today is in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division,” he said.
He added that INEC had been notified of the meeting and expressed confidence that the commission would eventually validate the process.
Also speaking, a founding member of the PDP and chairman of the convention, Jerry Gana, described the sealing of the venue as a setback for democracy.
The convention subsequently ratified Jonathan’s candidature after a motion moved by the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum and Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by former Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Sanusi Dagash.
The motion was adopted by a voice vote.
The development followed Thursday’s announcement by the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee that it would convene a convention to endorse Jonathan for the 2027 election.
However, the rival PDP faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had distanced itself from the gathering, insisting through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, that Sandy Onor remained the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Meanwhile, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, had warned event centres against hosting political meetings not recognised by INEC.
The Punch
