The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki has scheduled a special national convention for Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Ini Ememobong, the faction’s national publicity secretary, and Theophilus Shan, national organising secretary, announced that Jonathan’s nomination would be ratified at the convention in Abuja.
The move follows the PDP’s decision on May 19 to waive screening requirements for Jonathan, who is the sole presidential aspirant under the Turaki-led group. The party justified the waiver on the grounds that, as a former president, Jonathan does not need to undergo the standard screening process.
On Tuesday, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a lawsuit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 election. Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the plaintiff, JohnMary Jideobi, lacked the legal standing to file the suit, as he had not suffered any personal loss from Jonathan’s intention to run. The court awarded N20 million in costs against Jideobi in favour of the former president.
The Turaki PDP faction welcomed the judgment, describing it as consistent with “law and common sense.” The party noted that legislation cannot have retroactive effect and stated that the ruling has “made the pathway” for Jonathan’s “presidential rescue mission totally unfettered.”
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015.
The development comes amid a deep polarisation within the PDP, which is currently split into two rival factions. On Wednesday, the faction backed by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), named former senator Sandy Onor as its own presidential candidate for the 2027 polls.
Comments
Post a Comment