Turaki-led PDP to unveil Jonathan as presidential candidate on Saturday
The Kabiru Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed Saturday for the ratification of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate in 2027.
In a statement jointly issued on Thursday, Ini Ememobong, national publicity secretary of the party, and Theophilus Shan, national organising secretary, said Jonathan’s nomination would be ratified at a special national convention in Abuja.
On May 19, the PDP waived screening requirements for Jonathan, saying being a former president, he does not need to undergo screening.
On Tuesday, a federal high court in Abuja dismissed a suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, held that JohnMary Jideobi, the plaintiff, lacked the legal right to have instituted the suit, having not suffered any loss from Jonathan’s perceived intention to vie in next year’s poll.
The judge awarded a N20 million fine against Jideobi in favour of the ex-president.
The Turaki PDP faction commended the verdict, saying it aligns with the “law and common sense”, noting that legislation cannot have a retroactive effect.
The party said the ruling has “made the pathway” for Jonathan’s “presidential rescue mission totally unfettered”.
Jonathan was Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015. He lost to late President Muhammadu Buhari in his bid for a second term in 2015.
On Wednesday, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), named Sandy Onor, a former senator, as its presidential candidate.
