A faction within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has announced plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant for the 2027 general elections.
The move is being coordinated by a group led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and reportedly backed by Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde. According to the faction, the screening exercise is scheduled to take place on May 19 at 10 a.m. as part of a broader nationwide process involving more than 3,000 aspirants contesting various elective positions under its structure.
The faction emerged following the controversial PDP convention held in Ibadan in 2025, which deepened internal divisions within the opposition party. Leaders of the group insist they represent the legitimate structure of the PDP, claiming their processes comply with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines through the use of digital membership registration and internal reforms.
A screening panel reportedly comprising former Vice President Namadi Sambo and other senior party figures is expected to oversee Jonathan’s review process.
The development marks another escalation in the PDP’s prolonged post-2023 internal crisis, which has produced rival camps, legal disputes, and competing claims to party leadership. One faction aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike is widely regarded as the structure currently recognized by INEC, while opposing groups continue to challenge that position through the courts and parallel political activities.
Conflicting judicial rulings and unresolved leadership disputes have left the party deeply fragmented, with no universally accepted timetable yet announced for official primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has reaffirmed his membership in the PDP but has not formally declared interest in the presidential race. He has reportedly stated that any decision regarding a possible candidacy would come only after broad consultations with stakeholders and supporters.
The possibility of Jonathan’s return to presidential politics has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians and political observers. Supporters view him as a potentially stabilizing figure capable of reuniting fractured opposition interests and offering experienced leadership during a period of economic and political uncertainty.
Critics, however, question the viability of a presidential bid emerging from a faction facing legitimacy disputes and unresolved legal battles. Others argue that the PDP’s continued internal divisions could weaken its ability to effectively challenge rival parties in 2027.
Political analysts say the latest development underscores the growing complexity of Nigeria’s opposition politics, where coalitions, factional struggles, and leadership negotiations are increasingly shaping preparations for the next electoral cycle.
As the screening date approaches, attention is expected to focus on Jonathan’s final decision and whether the PDP can overcome its internal conflicts to present a united political front ahead of the elections.
