The Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The party took the decision during a Special National Convention held in Abuja.
The PDP Chairman in Edo State and Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, moved the motion for Jonathan’s adoption.
Aziegbemi said the endorsement followed consultations and the outcome of what he described as credible processes conducted by party leaders across the states.
“I have the singular honour and privilege to move a motion on behalf of all the state chairmen that conducted free, fair and credible primaries in their various states.
“And having adopted President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as sole presidential candidate, I hereby move that this special convention ratify the motion,” he stated.
Former Minister of National Planning, Senator Sanusi Daggash, while seconding the motion lamented what he described as betrayal by some individuals nurtured by the party.
“I have been with the PDP from inception to date. The party has been good to Nigeria and good to everybody.
“Unfortunately, we are now challenged by the same people we developed and placed in critical positions, only for them to become anti-PDP,” he said.
Daggash expressed support for Jonathan’s adoption, describing him as a unifying figure capable of repositioning the country.
The motion was subsequently put to a voice vote by the Chairman of the PDP Presidential Primary Election Committee and former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana.
Gana reflected on the sacrifices made by the founding fathers of the PDP in the struggle to entrench democracy in Nigeria.
PDP a legacy party
“It is with great pain that I see the current situation despite many years of democracy.
“PDP remains a legacy party and we were part of those who midwifed democratic governance in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking with journalists after the convention, Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee of the faction, Dr Tanimu Turaki (SAN), expressed confidence that Jonathan would contest the 2027 election on the platform of the party.
“When you look at the array of distinguished Nigerians gathered here today, do you think we are busybodies? We know what we are doing,” he stated.
A member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi, received the Certificate of Return on behalf of the former president, while party officials disclosed that the PDP flag would be formally presented to Jonathan at a later date.
The convention was eventually held at an alternative venue in Abuja after heavily armed security personnel reportedly barricaded the earlier venue scheduled for the event.
