In a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Tanimu Turaki (SAN), has scheduled the screening of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party's sole presidential candidate. The screening is set to take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Abuja.
14-Member Screening Committee Constituted
According to reports from This Day on Monday, May 18, a 14-member screening committee has been constituted to assess Jonathan. The committee includes notable figures such as former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi. Other members are Olabode George, Babangida Aliyu, Maryam Ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenin, Abdul Bulama, Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi, Sunday Solarium, and Chief Anicho Okoro, who will serve as the administrative secretary of the committee.
Jonathan Emerges as Sole Aspirant
Although the party statement referred only to a “lone presidential aspirant,” inquiries have confirmed that the candidate in question is Goodluck Jonathan. Last week, Ini Ememobong, the party’s national spokesperson, disclosed that Jonathan had successfully registered as a member of the PDP during a fresh digital registration exercise directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria's president from 2010 to 2015, has reportedly recently re-registered with the PDP, signaling his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan's Political Journey
Goodluck Jonathan, often referred to as GEJ, is the son of a canoe carver and a soft-spoken academic. He rose from humble beginnings as a civil servant to become deputy governor of Bayelsa State, then governor, and later vice president. He ascended to the presidency following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua in 2010 and was elected in his own right in 2011. His political career has been marked by rapid advancement and significant influence within the PDP.
Reactions and Warnings
Earlier, Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), advised the PDP to allow Jonathan to enjoy his retirement from public office in peace, rather than luring him into the 2027 race. Okonkwo warned that Jonathan should maintain his status as an international statesman and not risk his credibility by returning to partisan politics.
The PDP's decision to field Jonathan as its sole candidate is expected to reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, with the party aiming to regain power after being in opposition since 2015.
