PDP Faction Names Jonathan for 2027 Presidency
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced that it has submitted 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 despite the party’s ongoing leadership crisis.
INEC Acknowledges Receipt Despite Access Issues
Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, told reporters that INEC acknowledged receipt of the documents. He said the commission allegedly denied the faction access to the electronic submission codes, forcing a manual filing process.
Leadership Crisis Prompts Interim Structure
Ememobong argued that a Supreme Court judgment left the PDP without a legally recognised national leadership, prompting the party’s Board of Trustees and a requisitioned National Executive Committee meeting to establish an interim leadership structure.
Legal Challenges and Court Appeals
After INEC allegedly refused to recognise the interim leadership, 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 that underpin the faction’s case.
The faction has appealed the judgment and expressed confidence that the appellate court will uphold the earlier decisions. It also alleged irregularities in the Certified True Copy of the judgment, stating that parts of the document do not accurately reflect the ruling delivered in open court.
Accusations of INEC Bias
Ememobong accused INEC of failing to remain neutral, saying the commission ignored material facts and court orders favourable to the PDP. He warned that if INEC publishes names different from those submitted by the faction, it would reinforce concerns over the commission’s impartiality and suggest support for those seeking to weaken the opposition.
Call for Unity and Legal Remedy
The spokesman urged party members and supporters not to lose confidence, stating that the faction will continue to pursue legal and constitutional remedies. He described the dispute as part of a broader struggle to prevent the erosion of opposition politics and the emergence of a one‑party state.
Ememobong expressed confidence that the courts will eventually resolve the leadership dispute in the faction’s favour, adding that its members are prepared to see the matter through to its conclusion.
