A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Tanimu Turaki has declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The decision was taken on Saturday at a special national convention held at the faction’s national secretariat in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
The group had initially planned to hold the convention at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, but relocated to its operational office after security operatives sealed the venue.
Jonathan was absent from the event, but his certificate of return was received on his behalf by Fred Agbedi.
The convention was attended by delegates and party stakeholders aligned with the Turaki-led faction.
Addressing supporters outside the sealed venue, Turaki accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine democracy through intimidation.
“No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think that they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons,” he said.
The former minister urged party members to remain peaceful despite the dispute.
“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls,” he said.
“We will meet you there, we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground.”
WITHOUT INEC RECOGNITION
Turaki also defended the faction’s decision to proceed with the convention despite not being recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“What we are doing today is in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division,” he said.
He added that INEC had been notified of the gathering and expressed confidence that the commission would eventually validate the process.
Also speaking, Jerry Gana, chairman of the convention, described the sealing of the venue as a setback for democracy.
The convention later ratified Jonathan’s candidature following a motion moved by Tony Aziegbemi and seconded by Mohammed Sanusi Dagash.
The motion was adopted through a voice vote.
The development follows the faction’s announcement on Thursday that it would hold a convention to endorse Jonathan for the presidency.
However, a rival PDP faction aligned with Nyesom Wike has distanced itself from the exercise.
The faction, through its national publicity secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, insists that Sandy Onor remains the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
