2027: Turaki-led PDP set to ratify Jonathan’s nomination Saturday but doubts remain

PREPARATIONS have been concluded for the formal unveiling of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by the faction led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

The group had earlier disclosed that Jonathan was the only aspirant who obtained the party’s nomination form ahead of the presidential contest.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party announced plans for a special convention for the ratification of the nomination of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

The statement, signed by National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary of the party’s Interim National Management Committee (INMC), Mr Theophilus Dakas Shan, stated that the ratification of Jonathan’s nomination would be the sole agenda of the convention.

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The development comes barely days after Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to stop Jonathan from contesting the presidency on the grounds that he had already taken the presidential oath twice.

The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi.

Jonathan’s expected ratification is set to position him against President Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

There are also expectations that Peter Obi may emerge as the candidate of the Seriake Dickson-led National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Prior to the court ruling, many political observers had predicted a repeat of the 2023 contest involving Tinubu, Atiku and Obi, all of whom remain influential figures across different political platforms.

President Bola Tinubu had recently secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for a second term after polling 10.9 million votes during the party’s primary election.

However, Jonathan’s re-entry into the political arena is introducing fresh dynamics into the 2027 race, particularly within opposition circles already grappling with internal crises and leadership disputes. However, there are doubts that the former Bayelsa governor will indeed contest the election, given that nobody actually knows the party he belongs to presently.

“Jonathan will not contest the 2027 presidential election,” said an Abuja-based political analyst, Princess Abiye Desemi. “It is too late for him to throw his hat into the ring. If he had been contesting, he would have galvanised a coalition of opposition forces. Now, Obi, his ally, is in a different party. Wike is supporting Tinubu. South-South governors are in APC. In fact, most of his allies are either in APC now or in other minority parties, How then can he contest and win?”