2027: PDP State Chairmen Urges Jonathan to Distance Self from Turaki-Led Faction

The State chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Dr Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC), which has claimed he is the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum and Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, said Jonathan should not allow the group to continue using his name.

According to the chairmen, the PDP has only one recognised leadership headed by National Working Committee (NWC) Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed, which is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

They noted that while the Turaki-led group manually submitted Jonathan’s name and its list of National Assembly candidates to INEC after it failed to obtain access codes, the recognised NWC successfully uploaded the names of its presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, and other candidates through the commission’s portal.

The forum also pointed out that Jonathan’s name was missing from INEC’s published list of qualified presidential candidates, saying this showed that the electoral body did not recognise him as the PDP candidate.

The chairmen urged Jonathan to speak out and dissociate himself from the Turaki-led group.

“We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle of macabre dance by expelled PDP members.”

They added: “It is public knowledge that your name is being used by these shameless people to perpetuate their ignoble activities. This must stop. Silence in the face of such misuse damages not just the party, but your own legacy of peace and statesmanship.”

The forum accused the Turaki-led committee of forgery and misrepresenting court judgments to create the impression that there is a faction within the PDP. It asked security agencies to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found responsible.

It also warned that the group’s activities could threaten public order: “Their utter disrespect for the rule of law, their breach of peace, and reckless utterances pose a clear and present danger to public order. Nigeria is a nation of laws, not of propaganda.”

The chairmen further asked the PDP’s recognised National Working Committee to take legal action against the INWC.

They also appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to review the use of a building in Abuja’s Garki area where the Turaki-led group reportedly holds its meetings.

According to them, the facility is being used for activities “capable of breaching public peace and leading to a total breakdown of law and order in the FCT.”

The forum maintained that Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the only recognised PDP National Chairman and described those presenting themselves as members of a rival PDP faction as impostors who should be ignored.

According to the list displayed by INEC on Saturday, President Bola Tinubu will fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress with Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress and picked former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate.

Former Anambra State governor Peter Obi is the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso nominated as his vice-presidential candidate.

The publication also contains the educational qualifications, dates of birth, occupations, and other personal information submitted by the candidates ahead of the August 19 commencement of presidential campaigns.