Dare Babalola
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, on Saturday adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and issued him a certificate of return.
Jonathan, who was absent from the special national convention held at the party’s office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, was unanimously affirmed as the party’s flag bearer by delegates and stakeholders present at the gathering. His certificate of return was received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi.
The endorsement followed a voice vote conducted by Turaki during the convention. Delegates overwhelmingly responded “Aye” when asked if they supported Jonathan’s return as the party’s presidential candidate, while no dissenting voice was recorded.
A female PDP chieftain, who addressed delegates on behalf of the party’s founding mothers and fathers, described Jonathan as a statesman capable of restoring the party’s fortunes and healing the nation.
“Our members who are gone will be turning in their graves and seeing what is happening, they will be pleased with us to know that we have chosen to give our ticket to Jonathan, one of those who piloted the affairs of PDP after it came to power after we took power from the military,” she said.
She praised the former president as “a gentleman and an international figure” who remains respected across the world.
“He is a man who said his ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian, a man who will ensure that Nigeria will not bleed and suffer like this, a man who will ensure that Nigeria heals and PDP bounces back to its original position,” she added.
The convention was initially scheduled to hold at the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja but was relocated following a dispute over the venue.
In a communiqué issued after the convention and signed by the faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the group alleged that the management of the event centre cancelled the booking after receiving threats from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
According to the statement, the event centre management claimed it was warned that its Certificate of Occupancy could be revoked and the facility demolished if it hosted the PDP gathering.
The faction further alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Administration later issued a statement warning business premises against hosting what it described as unlawful political events, while security operatives were deployed around the original venue on the eve of the convention.
Following an emergency meeting involving members of the Board of Trustees, Interim National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, state chairmen and other stakeholders, the group said it decided against confronting security personnel and proceeded with the convention at an alternative venue.
“Considering the very passionate appeal by elder statesmen, the party aborted the earlier plan to resist the security occupation of the event centre and forcefully use the venue for the ceremonies,” the communiqué stated.
The faction maintained that Jonathan’s affirmation was the central objective of the gathering and announced that formal presentation and flag-giving ceremonies would be held at a later date.
It also condemned what it described as the abuse of state power against opposition forces and accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of supporting actions aimed at suppressing the party.
The group warned that such actions could undermine democratic principles if left unchecked and called on President Tinubu to ease political tensions in the country.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) currently recognises the PDP leadership aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a development that has deepened the party’s internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.
