A Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election [1].

The move signals a deepening divide within one of Nigeria's major political parties. By nominating a former head of state through a factional convention, the group challenges the authority of the party's established caretaker committee and complicates the path to the next general election.

The special national convention took place Saturday, May 30, 2026 [2], at the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja [3]. The gathering aimed to formally secure Jonathan's candidacy following prolonged internal disputes over the leadership and legitimacy of the PDP's caretaker committee [4].

Reports on the leadership of the faction vary. Some sources identify the group as the Kabiru Turaki faction [5], while others refer to it as the Tanimu Turaki faction [6]. Despite these discrepancies in naming, the primary objective of the convention remained the ratification of Jonathan to lead the party's ticket in 2027 [1].

Security presence was noted at the venue. Police blocked access to the A-Class Event Centre during the proceedings to manage the crowd and ensure the event's security [3]. The ratification process is intended to provide the faction with a legal and political basis to claim Jonathan as the legitimate representative of the PDP for the upcoming presidential cycle [4].

Jonathan, who previously served as president, returns to the political forefront as the faction seeks to consolidate power. The decision to hold a special convention rather than following standard party primary protocols highlights the volatility of the current party structure, a situation that often leads to protracted legal battles in Nigerian courts.

“A Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate”

The nomination of Goodluck Jonathan by a factional wing of the PDP suggests a strategy to leverage his name recognition and previous experience to bypass internal party deadlock. However, because this ratification occurred outside the consensus of the broader party structure, it is likely to trigger legal challenges regarding the validity of the candidacy. This creates a fragmented opposition landscape heading into the 2027 election cycle.