A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Nyesom Wike has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to distance himself from what it described as a “charade convention” planned by the rival Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the party.
Background of the planned convention
The Turaki-led group had scheduled a special convention for Saturday, May 30, in Abuja, where Jonathan was expected to be formally affirmed as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The event was billed to take place at the A-Class Park and Event Centre. Earlier on Friday, May 29, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) directed hotels, event centres and public facilities in Abuja to only engage with political party leaderships recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Wike-backed faction rejects the convention
Reacting in a statement signed by Jungudo Haruna, the Wike-backed faction said the proposed convention was unauthorised and illegitimate. “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR as the presidential candidate of the PDP,” the statement read. “The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
The faction urged party members and the public to ignore the planned gathering, describing it as misleading and capable of creating confusion within the political space. According to the statement, the Wike-aligned faction had already completed its primary elections and selected a consensus presidential candidate in line with party rules and electoral guidelines.
“It is important for the avoidance of doubt to state that the Peoples Democratic Party has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the presidential primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act, and the Constitution of the party,” Haruna said.
Direct appeal to Jonathan
The faction also appealed directly to Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the exercise. “In view of this development, we respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation,” the statement added. It further called on security agencies to investigate those behind what it described as false reports surrounding Jonathan’s alleged PDP candidacy and take action against them.
“The PDP will henceforth not fold its arms and allow the party to be dragged into disrepute through falsehood, misinformation, and unauthorised political activities aimed at undermining its integrity and democratic structures,” Haruna stated. The faction maintained that it remained committed to due process, internal democracy and the rule of law in all party activities.
