By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Tauraki on Saturday ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 election at a special convention held in Abuja.
The ratification of Jonathan as presidential candidate was held at the party’s office at Garki, Area 10 Area of Abuja.
This was after the police sealed off the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja which was earlier announced as the venue of a special convention.
The ratification event lasted about 20 minutes.
An ally of Jonathan Fred Agbedi received the certificate of ratification on behalf of the former president.
Others present at the event included Prof Jerry Gana, Tanimu Turaki, Adolphus Wabara, and several others who are loyal to Turaki.
Recall that the Nyesom Wike-backed PDP had in a statement on Friday condemned the plan by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction to affirm Jonathan as its presidential candidate in 2027.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in a statement described the planned convention as false, misleading and an attempt to create unnecessary political tension in the country.
Mohammed also said the PDP has already concluded all its statutory primary elections—including those for the Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly.
He said that the convention was done in strict compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Electoral Act, and the party’s constitution.
He also called on the former President to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation,” Mohammed said.
The Wike-backed faction of PDP had on Tuesday affirmed a former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The former President has not indicated if he will attempt a return to Aso Rock presidential villa in 2027 despite his ratification as a candidate by the PDP faction.
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