A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Turaki, is set to hold a special national convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally present 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 in Wuse 2, Abuja, beginning at 10 a.m.
Invitations issued ahead of the gathering were jointly signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organizing Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan.
According to the invitation notice, the event is aimed at concluding the process of adopting Jonathan as the faction’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the next election cycle.
“The special convention is convened to complete all necessary formalities regarding the endorsement and ratification of His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as the presidential candidate of our great party for the 2027 election,” the notice stated.
The planned ratification follows a series of moves by the Turaki-led faction to draft the former president into the race.
Earlier this month, the faction’s screening committee granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as the sole aspirant seeking the party’s presidential ticket.
Chairman of the screening committee and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, said Jonathan’s extensive political experience influenced the committee’s decision.
“Dr. Jonathan has served this country in several capacities, including deputy governor, governor, vice president and president. His experience and contributions to national development were carefully considered by the committee,” Aliyu said.
Following the screening exercise, the faction proceeded to organize a presidential primary on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s formal convention.
The development also comes on the heels of a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the presidency in 2027.
Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a suit seeking to stop the former president from participating in the election, ruling that the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the case.
The court held that no evidence was presented to show that the plaintiff had suffered any personal injury or loss as a result of Jonathan’s potential ambition.
Justice Lifu further noted that previous judgments by both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already upheld Jonathan’s constitutional right to contest the presidency.
Reacting to the judgment, the Turaki-led faction welcomed the decision, describing it as a major victory for democracy and internal party processes.
“The ruling has effectively removed every obstacle against Dr. Jonathan’s participation in the presidential primary,” the faction stated.
It also criticized the legal action against the former president, describing the suit as “an abuse of the judicial process aimed at frustrating a legitimate democratic aspiration.”
