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 submission was made amid the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
Speaking at a press conference late Thursday, Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, said INEC confirmed receipt of the documents, even though the faction alleges it was denied access to the electronic submission codes.
Ememobong insisted that the faction represents the authentic leadership of the PDP, arguing that a Supreme Court ruling 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 by members’ requisition, to establish an interim leadership structure.
After INEC allegedly refused to recognise the interim leadership despite being notified of its formation, the faction approached the Federal High Court in Abuja. Ememobong criticised a recent judgment by Justice Salim Oluwasupo Ibrahim, claiming it conflicted with earlier rulings from the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which form the basis of the faction’s case.
He described the judgment as resembling an appeal on those higher court decisions and said the faction has appealed the ruling, expressing confidence that the appellate court will uphold the earlier judgments.
The faction also 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 failing to remain neutral in PDP matters, claiming the commission 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 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 successfully submitted the candidate list manually and in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
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, adding that its members are prepared to pursue the matter to its conclusion.
