A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has formally ratified former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election after armed police officers barricaded the venue of its planned convention in Abuja.
The faction, led by Kabiru Turaki, had scheduled a Special National Convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja to formally endorse Jonathan’s candidacy. However, security operatives blocked access to the venue on Saturday, preventing delegates and guests from entering the facility.
According to reports, police patrol vehicles were stationed around the event centre, while roads leading into the venue from the Wuse and Maitama districts were sealed off.
The development followed a warning issued by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, which cautioned hotels and event centres against hosting political activities organised by party factions not officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Despite the blockade, the Turaki-led faction proceeded with the convention at an alternative location in the Garki area of Abuja, where party delegates hurriedly conducted the ratification exercise.
During the gathering, the motion to adopt Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate was moved by Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, and seconded by former Aviation Minister Sanusi Dagash. Delegates subsequently approved the motion through a voice vote.
A Certificate of Return was later presented to Fred Agbedi for onward delivery to Jonathan, who was absent from the convention.
The PDP remains deeply divided between rival leadership blocs. One faction is backed by Nyesom Wike and is recognised by INEC, while the other is led by Turaki and has positioned Jonathan as its preferred candidate ahead of 2027.
The Wike-aligned faction has already nominated former Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.
The ratification follows earlier moves by the Turaki faction to clear Jonathan for participation in its internal process. The group had granted him a waiver, screened him as its sole aspirant, and conducted a presidential primary before Saturday’s convention.
Jonathan has not publicly accepted the nomination and has remained largely silent on the growing political pressure urging him to return to the presidential race. Previous remarks attributed to the former president suggested he was still consulting and had not formally declared any intention to contest.
The dramatic scenes surrounding the convention highlight the deepening fragmentation within the PDP as opposition parties continue to reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. With rival factions advancing separate candidates and competing claims to legitimacy, the party’s internal crisis appears far from resolved.
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