Politics
2027: PDP Clears Goodluck Jonathan as Sole Presidential Aspirant
Goodluck Jonathan has been officially cleared by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party to contest the 2027 presidential election after being granted a waiver from the party’s screening process.
The PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki announced on Tuesday that Jonathan is currently the party’s only presidential aspirant.
Speaking on behalf of the screening committee chairman and former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu explained that the committee saw no reason to screen the former president because of his extensive political experience.
According to Aliyu, Jonathan’s political journey from deputy governor to governor, vice president and eventually president made further screening unnecessary.
“The party had already given a presidential aspirant a waiver from screening,” Aliyu said.
“He was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president, became president, so we didn’t see anything that needed screening. Therefore, the party has declared and cleared him as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election.”
Aliyu also disclosed that the PDP granted a similar waiver to the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, citing his previous service as deputy governor and ambassador.
The former governor noted that the screening exercise had already received aspirants from Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, adding that the process would continue for candidates yet to appear before the committee.
Aliyu insisted that attempts by some individuals to destabilise the party would not succeed, expressing confidence that the PDP would participate fully in the 2027 elections.
When asked whether Jonathan remained the only presidential aspirant seeking the PDP ticket, Aliyu replied: “As far as I know, as of today, at this moment, yes.”
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has continued to remain influential in national and international politics, often participating in peacebuilding and democratic advocacy initiatives across Africa.
The development is expected to intensify political discussions ahead of the 2027 general elections as major political parties continue consultations and internal realignments.
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