A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to hold a Special National Convention on Saturday to officially ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The convention is scheduled to take place at the A’ Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja, starting at 10 a.m.
According to an invitation signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, and National Organising Secretary, Theophilus Dakas Shan, the event is convened as “a Special National Convention for the Ratification of the Nomination of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The planned ratification comes after a series of steps taken by the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP to position Jonathan as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
On May 19, the faction’s screening committee granted Jonathan a waiver and cleared him as the sole aspirant for the party’s presidential ticket.
Chairman of the screening committee and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, said the waiver was approved in recognition of Jonathan’s extensive political experience, having previously served as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president.
The faction also conducted its presidential primary on Wednesday ahead of the formal ratification exercise.
The move follows a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu ruled that the plaintiff seeking to bar the former president from participating in the race lacked the legal standing to file the suit, adding that earlier court judgments had already established Jonathan’s eligibility.
Reacting to the judgment, the PDP faction described the lawsuit as frivolous and insisted the ruling had effectively cleared the way for Jonathan’s possible return to the presidential race.
Despite the growing political support from the faction, Jonathan has not officially declared his intention to contest the election.
Addressing supporters earlier who urged him to run, the former president said, “Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely.”
He added, “I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult.”
