The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki says former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has emerged as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking in Abuja, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who represented former Vice President and Chairman of the screening committee Namadi Sambo, disclosed that the party granted Jonathan a waiver from the screening process in view of his political experience and previous offices held.
According to Aliyu, Jonathan’s record as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president made further screening unnecessary.
“He was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president and later president, so we did not see anything that required screening. Therefore, the party granted him a waiver and cleared him as the PDP presidential candidate for the 2027 election,” he said.
Aliyu also announced that the party granted a waiver to former Deputy Governor of Oyo State and PDP National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, who was absent from the exercise due to party engagements in Ibadan, Oyo State.
He noted that other aspirants from states including Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta participated in the screening exercise, adding that the process would continue for any aspirants who appear within the stipulated screening period.
Aliyu expressed confidence in the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections, despite what he described as efforts by some individuals to weaken the party.
Responding to questions from journalists on whether Jonathan remains the only presidential aspirant, Aliyu said: “As far as I know, as of today and at this moment, yes.”
