A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has affirmed former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, deepening the leadership crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
The declaration was made during a special convention organized by the faction led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, in Abuja. Party officials said delegates unanimously endorsed Jonathan as the faction’s presidential flag bearer for the next presidential election.
The development comes amid an ongoing power struggle within the PDP, which has produced rival leadership groups and competing claims to the party’s structure. While the Turaki-led faction ratified Jonathan’s nomination, another faction of the party, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has recognized former Senator Sandy Onor as its consensus presidential candidate.
According to party officials aligned with the Turaki faction, the convention proceeded despite alleged disruptions and venue-related challenges. The group said it would announce a date for the formal presentation of the party flag to Jonathan, a symbolic ceremony that signifies a party’s endorsement of its candidate.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has not publicly accepted or rejected the nomination. He has also not issued a statement regarding the faction’s decision as of the time of reporting.
The former president’s emergence follows earlier moves by the same faction to grant him a waiver and clear him as its sole presidential aspirant ahead of the ratification exercise.
The PDP’s internal divisions have raised questions about which leadership structure and nomination process will ultimately be recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2027 elections. Party stakeholders are expected to continue consultations as efforts to resolve the dispute continue.
