Wike-supported PDP faction rules out endorsing Jonathan for president

The Peoples Democratic Party, backed by Nyesom Wike and led by Abdulraman Mohammed, has refuted claims of a convention planned by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction to confirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

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This denial was issued by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, in a statement released on Friday in Abuja, where he described the planned convention as a fabrication intended to stir up unnecessary political tension in the country.

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Mohammed emphasized that no such meeting or affirmation process had been scheduled or approved by any recognized organ of the party, highlighting that the PDP had already completed all its statutory primary elections, including those for the Presidency, National Assembly, Governorship, and State Houses of Assembly.

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According to Mohammed, these elections were conducted in strict adherence to the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Electoral Act, and the party's constitution, leaving no room for the proposed convention.

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The party categorically stated that no convention, meeting, or process had been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognized organ of the Peoples Democratic Party, and urged all party faithful, supporters, stakeholders, and members of the public to disregard such false information.

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Mohammed called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from this alleged charade, in order to safeguard the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation.

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The party also appealed to relevant security agencies to investigate the source of the false reports and take decisive action against those behind them, warning that the PDP would no longer tolerate its name being dragged into disrepute through unauthorized political activities.

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Mohammed reaffirmed the PDP's commitment to internal democracy, due process, and the rule of law, advising members of the public to rely strictly on official channels for any communication regarding party affairs.

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The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of PDP had planned to hold its convention on Saturday in Abuja to affirm Jonathan as its presidential candidate for 2027.

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Additionally, the Mohammed-led NWC had previously affirmed a former member of the National Assembly, Sen. Sandy Onor, as its consensus presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, on Tuesday.

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As of the time of this report, former President Goodluck Jonathan had not made any official comment regarding his ambition for the 2027 presidential race.