PDP Faction Manually Submits Jonathan’s Name to INEC As Presidential Candidate

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has put forward former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The Interim National Working Committee (INWC) of the PDP, led by Mr. Kabiru Turaki, SAN, manually submitted Jonathan's name, along with other candidates, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This action was taken in compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, despite an ongoing leadership dispute within the party.

According to Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the INWC, INEC acknowledged receipt of the submission. However, he alleged that the commission denied the faction access to the necessary electronic submission codes. Ememobong asserted that this faction represents the authentic leadership of the PDP, a claim stemming from a Supreme Court judgment that reportedly left the party without recognized national leadership. This situation prompted the Board of Trustees and a requisitioned National Executive Committee to establish the interim leadership structure.

The faction has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja after INEC allegedly refused to recognize the interim leadership, despite being notified. Ememobong criticized a recent judgment by Justice Salim Oluwasupo Ibrahim, arguing it contradicts earlier Supreme Court and Court of Appeal decisions that form the basis of their case. The group has appealed this decision, expressing confidence that the appellate court will uphold the prior rulings.

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The Commission’s filings, its arguments before the courts, and its refusal to comply with court orders favourable to our party have collectively created an impression of institutional bias that should concern every Nigerian.

Furthermore, the PDP faction raised concerns about irregularities in the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, suggesting that parts of the document did not accurately reflect the proceedings in open court. Ememobong accused INEC of failing to remain neutral in PDP matters, citing repeated instances where the electoral body allegedly ignored material facts and court orders favorable to the party. "The Commission’s filings, its arguments before the courts, and its refusal to comply with court orders favourable to our party have collectively created an impression of institutional bias that should concern every Nigerian," he stated.

The spokesman warned that if INEC publishes candidate names different from those submitted by the faction, it would intensify public concerns about the commission's impartiality and suggest support for those attempting to weaken the opposition. The faction urged its members and supporters to maintain confidence, assuring them that legal and constitutional avenues would continue to be pursued.

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The judgement reads more like an appeal on the judgements of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.