Jonathan 2027 endorsement plan deepens PDP factional crisis
By: Abudu Olalekan
A new twist emerges in the Peoples Democratic Party turmoil, when opposing groups argue fiercely about reportedly backing ex-President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2027 race. Suddenly, whispers turned into loud disagreements across different wings of the party. Behind closed doors, tensions rise as names are named without consent. One camp insists it’s time to rally behind familiar leadership. Meanwhile, others reject any talk of predetermined choices. Confusion spreads fast through meetings once thought routine. Now, trust wears thin among longtime allies. From state chapters to national offices, unease grows louder each day.
Out front, some PDP figures back Wike, who runs the capital territory. Behind the scenes, another group follows Turaki’s temporary committee. Split loyalties pull in opposite directions now. One side stands firm with the minister. The other answers to the appointed team guiding party affairs.
Now they’re throwing blame back and forth. Not happy with how things are going, those supporting Wike challenge whether Turaki’s team can even run a meeting or make choices for everyone. From their corner, the ones around Turaki say Wike is working hard to mess up their gathering set for Abuja.
A gathering organized by the group following Turaki’s lead made public their plans Thursday. Set for Abuja, the event scheduled on Saturday aimed to back Jonathan clearly for president. Their move came with official intent, framed around support finalized at the meeting.
Just days before that statement dropped, Senator Sandy Onor had gone through screening, gotten approval, then been put forward as the PDP’s choice for president in 2027.
Friday brought a response from Jungudo Mohammed, national publicity secretary of the PDP, who said the move to back Jonathan had no official approval. Reports floating around prompted him to urge security bodies to trace where they started, then deal firmly with anyone involved.
He said the reports aimed to stir doubt, unsettle things. Inside politics, friction grew because of them.
“The attention of the PDP has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, as the presidential candidate of the PDP,” Mohammed said.
It was his view that neither the acknowledged leaders nor any official body within the party had given approval to such a practice. The idea hadn’t passed through proper channels, he said. Not one formal group had backed it. Approval never came from those meant to decide. He stood firm – no green light ever showed up where it should have.
“The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he added.
Fake stories float around, he said – PDP folks should just pass them by. People spreading these tales don’t know what they’re saying, according to Mohammed. The noise might confuse some, but it holds no truth at all. Letting such claims slide makes more sense than chasing every whisper. Truth tends to stand still while rumors run wild. He asked everyone to stay clear of the mess altogether.
That process finished earlier, following rules set by the electoral commission, national voting laws, plus the party’s own internal framework. The primaries moved ahead as planned, shaped by those combined requirements.
Should he speak out against the move, it might shield democracy while also preserving his own standing. The group insisted Jonathan needed to reject the upcoming endorsement outright.
“In view of this development, 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 statement said.
Out of nowhere, Mohammed made it clear the PDP wouldn’t tolerate people tarnishing its image with false claims or rogue politics. While silence had been an option before, now consequences would follow those spreading distortions without permission.
Yet the group under Turaki dismissed those statements.
Friday brought another comment. This time from Ini Ememobong, the group’s National Publicity Secretary. He claimed Wike was pressuring staff at A Class Event Centre. The venue sits in Wuse 2, Abuja. That is where the breakaway faction intended to host their meeting.
It was Ememobong who said officials warned the venue’s owners – host the PDP group, face closure. A hard line drawn before any event could even start.
“We have been informed by the proprietors of A Class Event Centre of the threat by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to shut down their business premises if the Peoples Democratic Party is allowed to use their hall for our presidential candidate ratification ceremonies,” the statement read.
A spokesperson mentioned the location was covered financially, while authorities received details ahead of time. Payment came through completely before anything started.
Still, it mentioned instructing legal counsel to send correspondence to the venue’s administration – reinforcing terms already settled.
“Having satisfied these requirements, we reiterate that the special convention to ratify the presidential candidature of President Goodluck Jonathan will hold as scheduled on Saturday, 30th May, 2026, at A Class Event Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja, by 10 a.m.,” the group said.
It stood firm: Nigeria runs on legal grounds. When power tries to crush politics through force, decent folks must push back – that was its view. Resistance isn’t optional, just right.
Still, it claimed the FCT Minister lacked lawful power to dictate meeting locations for political parties or assemblies.
Besides, the Federal Capital Territory Administration cautioned venues like hotels and public halls – telling them not to host groups labeled as unlawful. Though quiet on details, officials stressed compliance could avoid penalties down the line.
A message shared last Friday carried the caution. Lere Olayinka put it out. He speaks for the FCT Minister on public communications and social media. The note came through an official release.
What happens next depends on how people respond in the area. The FCTA says safety of citizens plus buildings in the capital matters most right now. Crowds forming might shake calm routines, so officials want to keep things steady another way.
“In view of the need to further ensure the security of lives and properties in the FCT and sustain the efforts of security agencies in this regard, usage of event centres, hotels and other public buildings will now be closely monitored,” the statement said.
Should groups without legal status occupy a venue, officials might cancel the property papers. If an unauthorized group takes over a hall, lodge, or shared space, ownership proof may vanish overnight. When such places host outlawed crews, their deeds risk being torn up. Places like auditoriums or guesthouses in the hands of banned outfits could lose official standing. Any site – conference spot, inn, community hub – lent to rogue networks risks losing its paperwork.
Before signing off on reservations, venue operators were told to double-check who they’re dealing with – particularly now, amid heightened political activity. Laws around usage matter more when tensions run high.
Failing to follow the rules could lead to big problems, the FCTA pointed out. Working strictly with approved party leaders is required, according to INEC’s standards.
