PDP Rejects Turaki Faction’s Jonathan Nomination
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed a claim by a faction led by Taminu Turaki that it submitted former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, only a leadership recognised by INEC and equipped with the official access codes can lodge a nomination, and the Turaki group does not meet that requirement.
Mohammed described the faction’s manual submission as illegal and worthless, stressing that INEC’s nomination process is strictly electronic and does not accommodate paper‑based lists.
The Turaki‑led Interim National Working Committee, represented by Ini Ememobong, insisted that it had filed the list manually after INEC allegedly denied them the necessary access codes, arguing that the act complies with the Electoral Act 2026.
Ememobong warned that if INEC publishes names submitted by rival groups, supporters should remain steadfast, adding that the faction will pursue every constitutional and legal avenue to safeguard the party from being absorbed by the ruling party.
Mohammed urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the faction, noting that the former president’s silence could be interpreted as endorsement of the move.
He warned that Jonathan’s continued quietness might lead many Nigerians to believe he consents to the charade, and called on him to speak out to clear his name.
The PDP spokesman reiterated that INEC only recognises nominations uploaded via secure access codes issued to legitimate parties, and that the faction’s list lacks any legal basis, deserving to be disregarded.
He concluded by urging INEC to ignore the submission, emphasizing that the electoral commission can act only within the bounds of the law.
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