Turaki-led PDP faction to screen Goodluck Jonathan as sole presidential aspirant

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has announced plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant on Tuesday, ahead of its forthcoming primaries for the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the faction said the screening exercise for all aspirants across various elective positions would be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday as part of preparations for its internal party primaries.

According to the statement, a total of 2,122 State House of Assembly aspirants, 748 House of Representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, 112 governorship aspirants, and one presidential aspirant are expected to undergo screening.

Although the party did not officially disclose the identity of the sole presidential hopeful, a reliable source within the faction confirmed that the aspirant is former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Attempts to reach the faction’s spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, for further clarification were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The screening exercise will be conducted by a 14-member committee comprising prominent party figures. Among them are former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, and former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi.

Other members include prominent PDP stakeholders such as Olabode George, Babangida Aliyu, Maryam Ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenih, Abdul Bulama, Esther Uduehi, Tony Aziegbemi, Edo PDP chairman, Sunday Solari, and Anicho Okoro, who will serve as the administrative secretary of the committee.

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The statement noted that the committee was constituted and approved by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 104th meeting, in line with the party’s guidelines and timetable for the 2027 general elections.

“This publication is in accordance with the party’s guidelines and timetable for the conduct of the 2027 general election,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, political momentum around Jonathan’s potential return to the presidential race has continued to grow in recent weeks. On May 7, a group known as the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan staged a solidarity rally at his Abuja residence, urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The former president has, however, maintained that he would consult widely before making a final decision on whether to enter the race.