ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is set to hold a Special National Convention on Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The convention is scheduled to take place at the ‘A’ Class Event Centre on Kassim Ibrahim Way, Wuse 2, Abuja, beginning at 10am, according to a notice signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan.
The invitation described the event as a Special National Convention for the ratification of Jonathan’s nomination as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.
The move follows a series of internal processes by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction, including a screening exercise that granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as the sole aspirant for the ticket.
The screening committee, chaired by former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, said the waiver was based on Jonathan’s political experience as a former deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president of Nigeria.
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The faction also held its presidential primary on Wednesday, May 28, ahead of the scheduled ratification exercise.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja recently ruled that Jonathan is eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election, a decision that was welcomed by the faction.
The court held that the plaintiff seeking to bar Jonathan from running lacked legal standing and described the case as an abuse of court process, noting that previous rulings had already affirmed his eligibility.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP said electoral laws cannot be applied retrospectively and described the suit as frivolous and an abuse of judicial process.
Jonathan, who governed Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, had earlier told supporters urging him to join the race that he was still consulting and would not rush into a decision.
“Presidential race is not a computer game,” he said, adding that he would consult widely before deciding whether to contest.
Despite growing political pressure, Jonathan has not formally accepted the nomination or confirmed his intention to run in the 2027 presidential election.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been issued by the former president regarding the endorsement.