Jonathan Returns? PDP Crisis Explodes as Rival Faction Picks Ex-President for 2027.

The internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party took a dramatic turn on Saturday as a faction of the party led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, officially declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The announcement came during a controversial special national convention held in Abuja under tense political circumstances, deepening the widening cracks within the opposition party ahead of the next election cycle.

Originally scheduled to take place at the A-Class Event Centre in Wuse 2, the convention was abruptly relocated to the faction’s operational secretariat in Area 10, Garki, after security operatives reportedly sealed off the venue in the early hours of the day.

Despite the disruption, delegates, party stakeholders, and loyalists aligned with the Turaki-led faction regrouped at the new location and proceeded with the exercise, insisting that no force could stop what they described as a “constitutional democratic process.”

Former President Jonathan was absent from the gathering, but his nomination was formally ratified by the convention delegates. His Certificate of Return was received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker, Fred Agbedi, amid loud cheers from party supporters.

The dramatic declaration instantly intensified the leadership battle within the PDP, as rival factions continue to struggle for control of the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing party members and supporters outside the barricaded venue earlier in the day, Turaki accused unnamed political forces of attempting to intimidate opposition voices and suppress democracy through abuse of state power.

“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,” Turaki declared passionately.

He urged his supporters to remain peaceful despite the tension surrounding the convention, insisting that political supremacy should be settled at the ballot box rather than through intimidation or violence.

“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. 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,” he said.

Turaki further defended the legality of the faction’s actions, arguing that the convention and all decisions reached during the gathering were backed by judicial pronouncements and the PDP constitution.

According to him, the faction relied on judgments delivered by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which he claimed validated their position within the party structure.

“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 stated confidently.

He also disclosed that the Independent National Electoral Commission had been duly informed about the convention, expressing optimism that the electoral body would eventually recognise and validate the process.

The convention was chaired by elder statesman and founding PDP member, Professor Jerry Gana, who described the sealing of the initial venue as a dangerous setback for democratic practice in Nigeria.

Gana lamented what he called growing intolerance within the nation’s political environment, warning that democracy could only thrive when divergent political opinions are allowed to exist freely.

The formal ratification of Jonathan’s candidature followed a motion moved by the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen Forum and Edo State PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and seconded by former Minister of Aviation, Mohammed Sanusi Dagash.

The motion was subsequently adopted through a voice vote by delegates at the convention.

Saturday’s development followed an earlier announcement by the Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee, which on Thursday revealed plans to organise a convention aimed at endorsing Jonathan for the 2027 presidential race.

However, the move has been fiercely rejected by the rival PDP faction reportedly aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The Wike-backed camp dismissed the convention as illegitimate and insisted that former Cross River State governorship candidate, Sandy Onor, remains the recognised presidential candidate of the party for the 2027 election.

Speaking on behalf of the faction, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, maintained that the Turaki-led group lacked constitutional backing and recognition from INEC.

Meanwhile, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, had earlier warned event centres against hosting political gatherings not recognised by the electoral commission, a statement many observers linked to the controversy surrounding Saturday’s convention.

The unfolding drama has once again exposed the deep divisions within the PDP, raising fresh concerns over the party’s unity and preparedness ahead of the 2027 general election.

Political analysts say the emergence of parallel factions and conflicting presidential candidates could further weaken the opposition party at a time when it is struggling to rebuild after successive electoral setbacks.

As tensions continue to rise, all eyes are now on the Independent National Electoral Commission and the courts, which may ultimately determine the legitimacy of the rival camps and the future direction of one of Nigeria’s biggest opposition parties.