PDP Faction Files Jonathan’s Name with INEC 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 amid a prolonged leadership crisis within the party.
Speaking at a press conference late Thursday, the National Publicity Secretary of the Interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, said INEC acknowledged receipt of the documents, even though the faction alleges it was denied access to the electronic submission codes.
Ememobong maintained that the faction represents the authentic leadership of the PDP, arguing that a Supreme Court judgment left the party without a legally recognised national leadership.
According to him, this vacuum prompted the party’s Board of Trustees and a National Executive Committee meeting — convened through members’ requisition — to establish an interim leadership structure.
The faction subsequently approached the Federal High Court in Abuja after INEC allegedly refused to recognise the interim leadership despite being notified of its constitution and receiving further reminders.
Ememobong criticised a recent judgment by Justice Salim Oluwasupo Ibrahim, claiming it conflicted with earlier rulings of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal, which form the basis of the faction’s case.
He said the judgment “reads more like an appeal on the judgments of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal,” and expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn it and uphold the earlier decisions.
The faction also alleged irregularities in the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, stating that parts of the document did not accurately reflect the ruling delivered in open court.
Ememobong accused INEC of failing to remain neutral in PDP matters, asserting that 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 create the impression that it is supporting those seeking to weaken the opposition.
The spokesman urged party members and supporters not to lose confidence should such a situation arise, saying the faction would continue to pursue legal and constitutional remedies.
He described the dispute as part of a broader struggle to prevent what he called the erosion of opposition politics and the emergence of a one‑party state.
Ememobong said the faction’s candidates remain confident in the judicial process and are committed to reclaiming the party.
“Notwithstanding INEC’s refusal to provide us with the necessary access codes, we have successfully submitted, manually and in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026, the list of candidates sponsored by the authentic Peoples Democratic Party,” he stated.
He also warned against what he described as “electoral authoritarianism,” insisting that democratic institutions should not be used to suppress opposition parties.
Ememobong expressed confidence that the courts would eventually resolve the leadership dispute in the faction’s favour, adding that its members are prepared to pursue the matter to its conclusion.
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