Wike-Backed PDP Tells Jonathan to Reject 2027 Convention Amid Party Crisis

Wike-Backed PDP Tells Jonathan to Reject 2027 Convention Amid Party Crisis

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated, as the faction of the party led by Honourable Abdulrahman Mohammed has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from attempts to link his name to a controversial 2027 presidential convention.

The development comes amid growing tensions between two rival leadership blocs within the opposition party, each laying claim to legitimacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Working Committee (NWC), which is currently recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), described the planned ratification of Jonathan by the rival Interim National Working Committee (INWC) headed by Dr Tanimu Turaki as a “charade” designed to create confusion within the polity.

The Turaki-led faction had scheduled a special convention for Saturday in Abuja to formally ratify Goodluck Jonathan as PDP’s 2027 presidential candidate, despite no official declaration from the former president indicating interest in the race.

According to the Mohammed-led faction, there is no public record showing that Jonathan purchased nomination forms, submitted himself for screening, or participated in any official process leading to his emergence as a candidate.

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Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, the faction insisted that the PDP had already concluded all valid primary elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC guidelines.

The party said the primaries covered governorship, state Houses of Assembly, National Assembly and presidential positions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The faction had earlier announced former Senator Sandy Ojang Onor as its consensus presidential candidate after concluding what it described as duly conducted primaries.

In a strongly worded statement, the faction urged Jonathan to protect his political legacy by publicly rejecting the move.

It said the former president’s silence had continued to fuel speculation and deepen uncertainty over the leadership crisis within the party.

The statement read: “We respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation.”

The dispute follows the April 30 Supreme Court judgment which invalidated the disputed Ibadan convention that produced the Turaki-led leadership structure.

Although the judgment was widely expected to settle the prolonged leadership tussle, both factions have continued to operate parallel structures while insisting they are the authentic leadership of the PDP.

The situation has been further complicated by the intervention of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who warned hotels and event centres in Abuja against hosting political activities organised by groups not officially recognised by INEC.

The warning was communicated through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, who directed facility owners to verify the legitimacy of political organisers before accepting bookings.

Despite the warning, the Turaki-led camp has vowed to proceed with the convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, Abuja.

Its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, described any attempt to stop the event as political intimidation and insisted all legal and contractual obligations had been fulfilled.

Political observers say the deepening PDP leadership crisis could significantly weaken the party’s chances of mounting a formidable challenge in the 2027 presidential election, especially as rival factions continue to battle for control.

The silence of Goodluck Jonathan on the matter has remained a major talking point, with many analysts insisting that a public clarification from the former president could help calm the escalating tension within the opposition party.

Wike-Backed PDP Tells Jonathan to Reject 2027 Convention Amid Party Crisis