PDP Faction Backs Jonathan as Sole 2027 Presidential Candidate

In a significant political maneuver, a faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as their unopposed presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. This decision, announced during the screening exercise in Abuja, bypasses the traditional competitive nomination process for the party's highest office.

The rationale provided for granting Jonathan a waiver from the screening committee centers on his previous tenure as president, which the faction deems sufficient qualification. Babangida Aliyu, a member of the screening committee, stated that Jonathan's experience automatically qualified him, thus negating the need for further vetting. This move suggests a strategic attempt by this faction to consolidate power and present a unified front, potentially sidelining other aspirants within the broader PDP.

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The party had already given our presidential aspirant the waiver, like I said in the beginning that he was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president, became president so we didn’t see anything that needed screening and therefore the party had given him waiver.

Beyond the presidential ticket, the faction also extended a screening waiver to Taofeek Arapaja, an interim national working committee member vying for the Oyo State governorship. This indicates a broader strategy of consolidating influence within key political positions. While other governorship aspirants were screened and cleared, the preferential treatment afforded to Jonathan and Arapaja highlights internal party dynamics and potential power plays ahead of the crucial 2027 elections. This development is being closely watched as it could shape the internal landscape of the PDP and its chances in the upcoming electoral contest.

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In other words, he had been declared and cleared as the candidate of the PDP for the presidential election and that is president Jonathan.