The two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are at loggerheads over the possibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan picking up the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2027 presidency.
With uncertainty surrounding the presidential ambition of Jonathan and time running out for him to purchase the forms, both camps have refused to confirm or rule out Jonathan’s place in the 2027 contest.
Speaking with Vanguard on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP National Working Committee, aligned with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, Mohammed Haruna Jungudo, dismissed suggestions that Jonathan was in talks with their faction.
He also affirmed that the former President has not purchased forms from their group.
“Goodluck has not purchased our form yet and he has not been romancing with us, so we are not expecting him to come.
“You saw them (Makinde camp) visiting Goodluck Jonathan. You have never seen Goodluck Jonathan pay a visit, or you’ve never seen us visiting Goodluck Jonathan,” he said.
In a swipe at the rival faction, Jungudo also all but ruled out the chances of Jonathan picking up the forms for the 2027 contest.
“Goodluck Jonathan buy the presidential nomination form from where? You are not talking to Kabiru Turaki’s group. And you should know you are not talking to Kabiru Tanimu Turaki,” he said.
However, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Ini Ememobong, was less direct in his response.
He did not rule out the possibility of Jonathan running on the platform, insisting that the former President remains a member of the PDP and is free to join the 2027 race.
“Well, that is for him (Jonathan) to determine. It is not for us. The choice of buying nomination form, when to buy, and where to buy from, is entirely his.
“What we can say is that his name is on our register and which is what we can answer to,” Ememobong said.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that speculations had heightened about Jonathan joining the 2027 race after he promised to consider the recent call by some Nigerian youths to contest the 2027 presidency.
