The Turaki led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unanimously affirmed former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election during a Special National Convention held in Abuja on May 30, 2026.
Jonathan’s candidacy was ratified at a special national convention held at the party’s office in Area 10, Garki district, Abujaon Saturday, May 30.
The former President was however absent at the convention, but his certificate of return, presented on behalf of the party by former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi, a member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa state and under the watchful supervision of the party’s BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Nwagbara with other top party officials in attendance as witnesses.
The Turaki-led faction had initially planned to hold its convention at the A-Class Park and Event Centre but had to move location after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) under the supervision of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, directed owners of hotels and event centres to only deal with the leadership of political parties recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
To reinforce the FCT Minister’s directive, men of the Nigeria Police Force were drafted to the venue very early on the morning of the event to seal off the and subsequently placed barricades along the road leading to A-Class Park and Event Centre, but following an emergency meeting of party stakeholders, the PDP decided against confronting security personnel at the venue, opting instead to move to another venue and proceed with the affirmation of Jonathan through internal processes.
A statement by Ini Ememobong, Publicity Secretary of the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP group, condemned what it described as political intimidation by the administration of Nyesom Wike and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reduce political tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP further declared itself united and fully prepared for the 2027 polls, charging its Interim National Working Committee to intensify preparations for the election and promote democratic participation across the country.
EXCERPTS FROM THE SPECIAL NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY HELD ON MAY 30, 2026, IN ABUJA
INTRODUCTION
The Peoples Democratic Party, under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, had duly
served the Independent National Electoral Commission with the statutory notices
concerning our activities to select candidates for all offices. Security agencies were also notified. The venue, A Class Event Centre, for the Special National Convention in Abuja was fully paid for, and the owners accepted the payment and granted access for preparatory activities.
Surprisingly, the management of the event centre called to cancel the booking, citing an invitation
and threat from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that their certificate
of occupancy would be revoked and their event centre demolished if the PDP event was allowed
to hold there. We reminded them of the subsisting contract with us and insisted that the event must go on as planned. The Federal Capital Territory Administration doubled down by issuing a statement conveying the threats of revocation of the titles of business premises hosting events considered by them as unlawful.
As if that was not enough, by 7 p.m. on Friday, 29th May, more than 20 truckloads of policemen were deployed to block the entire road where the event centre is located, forcing motorists to drive against traffic.
DECISION
Following this situation, the leaders of the party summoned an emergency meeting of all the organs of the party- the Board of Trustees, Members of the Interim National Working Committee, members of the National Executive Committee, State Chairmen, Gubernatorial and National Assembly Candidates of the party, and other critical stakeholders, where the
situation was assessed and it was decided as follows:
- Considering the very passionate appeal by elder statesmen, the party aborted the earlier plan to resist the security occupation of the event centre and forcefully use the venue for the ceremonies. The elders preferred that we show maturity in the face of provocation and rather defeat our adversaries at the polls instead of engaging in unnecessary physical
struggle. They admonished that when a mad person runs away with your cloth, you do not chase the deranged person naked; otherwise, those who see the chase will simply conclude that two mad people are running. - Since the main activity of the day is the affirmation of President Goodluck Jonathan,the stakeholders continued with the plan and President Goodluck Jonathan was unanimously affirmed, after a motion was duly moved and seconded, as the presidential candidate and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 presidential election.Furthermore, the formal presentation and flag-giving ceremonies will be slated subsequently.
- The party strongly condemned the brazen use of unmitigated power by officials of this administration, especially the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, with the obvious support of the President. They opined that if left unchecked, full blown dictatorship will sprout within a democracy, which eventually may lead to the collapse of democracy.
- This shameful oppression has validated the widely perceived fear of the PDP by the ruling party. Whereas other parties with leadership issues similar to ours have conducted their conventions without threats from the ruling party, the PDP is too feared to be allowed the constitutionally guaranteed right to meet.
- The party calls on the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to rein in his fear of impending loss and take practical steps to deescalate the political tensions which have been an unwarranted addition to the already heightened political temperature in the country.
- We call on all our party members to remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of our party, conscious that very soon this battle will be over, and we will be more than conquerors.
Conclusion
With the affirmation of our presidential candidate, we are now ready for the 2027 general elections, and we charge the Interim National Working Committee to take necessary steps to ensure the party’s full and effective participation in the next polls. Furthermore, we charge them to adequately sensitize the public (local and international) on the asphyxiation of the opposition and the promotion of a one-party state in Nigeria.
The Special National Convention hereby declares the Peoples Democratic Party united, prepared, and fully mobilized for the task of rescuing Nigeria through democratic means in the 2027 general elections.
Signed:
Comrade Ini Ememobong, mnipr
National Publicity Secretary
Interim National Working Committee
Peoples Democratic Party
30052026