Turaki-led PDP Names Jonathan Lone Presidential Aspirant, Screening Holds Tuesday

Turaki-led PDP Names Jonathan Lone Presidential Aspirant, Screening Holds Tuesday

Abuja, Nigeria – A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) will on Tuesday screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general elections. The faction confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the screening exercise will commence at 10:00 a.m., paving the way for its forthcoming presidential primaries. While the official statement referred only to a “lone presidential aspirant,” multiple sources have confirmed that the candidate is former President Jonathan.

According to the faction’s timetable, a total of 3,181 aspirants seeking various elective offices will be screened nationwide. The breakdown includes 2,122 state house of assembly aspirants, 748 house of representatives aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, 112 governorship aspirants, and one presidential aspirant. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report. However, a senior party source confirmed to TheCable that Goodluck Jonathan is the sole presidential hopeful scheduled for screening.

The faction has constituted a 14-member screening committee, a list approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 104th meeting. The committee includes several heavyweight figures in Nigerian politics, such as former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Olabode George, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Maryam Ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenih, Abdul Bulama, Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi, Sunday Solari, and Anicho Okoro, who will serve as Administrative Secretary. The committee is expected to oversee the integrity of the screening process and submit its report before the faction’s primaries.

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The move to screen Goodluck Jonathan follows weeks of mounting pressure from support groups urging the former president to stage a political comeback. On May 7, a coalition of youths under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan staged a solidarity rally at his Abuja residence in Maitama, calling on him to run for president again in 2027. Addressing the crowd, Jonathan remained cautious but open, stating: “I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision. Presidential race is not a computer game.” He also challenged Nigerian youths to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in the electoral process, citing growing voter apathy as a major national concern.

Earlier this week, the Turaki-led faction disclosed that Jonathan had successfully completed the PDP’s fresh digital membership registration directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) — a prerequisite for any aspirant seeking the party’s ticket. This development has further fueled speculation that the former president is seriously considering a return to the nation’s highest office, nearly a decade after leaving power in 2015.

The screening exercise is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the faction’s national secretariat in Abuja. If Jonathan clears the screening, he will proceed to the faction’s presidential primaries as the sole candidate, effectively becoming its flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election. However, it remains unclear whether the mainstream PDP led by its acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, will recognize the outcome of this factional process. Political analysts say the development could deepen the crisis within the opposition party.

Turaki-led PDP Names Jonathan Lone Presidential Aspirant, Screening Holds Tuesday