PDP Faction Submits Jonathan’s Name to INEC for 2027 Presidency
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced that it has forwarded the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The move comes amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the party.
Speaking at a press conference late Thursday, Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, said INEC had acknowledged receipt of the documents, even though the faction alleges it was denied access to the electronic submission codes.
Ememobong argued that the faction represents the authentic leadership of the PDP, pointing to a Supreme Court ruling that left the party without a legally recognised national authority. He said this vacuum prompted the Board of Trustees and a National Executive Committee meeting — convened via members’ requisition — to establish an interim leadership structure.
After INEC reportedly refused to recognise the interim leadership despite being notified of its formation and receiving reminders, the faction approached the Federal High Court in Abuja. Ememobong also criticised a recent judgment by Justice Salim Oluwasupo Ibrahim, claiming it conflicted with earlier decisions of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which form the basis of the faction’s legal position.
He described the judgment as “more like an appeal on the judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal,” and said the faction has appealed the ruling, expressing confidence that the appellate court will uphold the earlier decisions.
The faction further alleged irregularities in the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, asserting that parts of the document do not accurately reflect the ruling delivered in open court.
Ememobong accused INEC of abandoning its neutrality in PDP matters, alleging that the commission has ignored material facts and court orders favourable to the party. He warned that if INEC eventually publishes names different from those submitted by the faction, it would reinforce public concerns over the commission’s impartiality and suggest it is supporting forces seeking to weaken the opposition.
He urged party members and supporters not to lose confidence should such a scenario arise, stating that the faction will continue to pursue legal and constitutional remedies. Ememobong framed the dispute as part of a broader struggle to prevent the erosion of opposition politics and the emergence of a one‑party state.
The faction’s candidates remain confident in the judicial process and are committed to reclaiming the party. Ememobong stressed that, despite INEC’s refusal to provide the necessary access codes, the faction has successfully submitted, manually and in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the list of candidates sponsored by the authentic PDP.
He also warned against what he termed “electoral authoritarianism,” insisting that democratic institutions should not be used to suppress opposition parties. Ememobong expressed confidence that the courts will ultimately resolve the leadership dispute in the faction’s favour, noting that its members are prepared to see the matter through to its conclusion.
