A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly aligned with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has announced former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The declaration was made on Tuesday in Abuja during a presidential screening exercise organised by the faction’s internal committee, marking one of the earliest political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
The announcement was delivered by a member of the screening committee, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who explained that Jonathan was exempted from the screening process through a formal waiver.
According to Aliyu, the decision was based on Jonathan’s extensive political background and experience in public office. He noted that the former president had served in multiple leadership capacities, including deputy governor, governor, vice president, and ultimately President of Nigeria, making further screening unnecessary in the committee’s view.
Aliyu further stated that the faction had already concluded its internal evaluation process, effectively clearing Jonathan as its preferred and sole candidate for the presidential race.
“In other words, he had been declared and cleared as the candidate of the PDP for the presidential election, and that is President Jonathan,” he said during the screening session in Abuja.
The faction also extended a screening waiver to Taofeek Arapaja, who is contesting the Oyo State governorship ticket under the same political structure.
Beyond the presidential arrangement, the committee also screened and cleared several governorship aspirants from different states, indicating a broader effort to consolidate candidates across both federal and state levels.
Those cleared include Myebangara Andrew from Adamawa State, Ikenya Danlami from Taraba State, Etanabene Benedict from Delta State, and Abdullahi Sheriff from Yobe State.
The development highlights ongoing internal restructuring within the PDP faction as political actors position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections. It also reflects early strategic moves that could influence broader party dynamics, especially as different blocs within the opposition continue to assert control over candidate selection processes.
Political observers note that the adoption of Jonathan as sole candidate may deepen conversations around unity, legitimacy, and internal consensus within the party, particularly as preparations for the next presidential contest gradually intensify.
With this announcement, attention now shifts to how other PDP structures and stakeholders will respond to the faction’s decision and whether it will trigger further alignment or internal negotiations in the months ahead.
