The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied reports suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan is being positioned as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
The group described the claims as false, misleading and unauthorised, insisting that no such arrangement has been approved by any recognised structure within the party.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, the faction urged security agencies to investigate the origin of the reports, alleging that they were deliberately designed to create political tension and discredit the party.
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The clarification follows reports that an Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki had planned a convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally endorse Jonathan as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the next general election.
The faction also reacted to claims that Senator Sandy Onor had recently been screened, cleared and presented as its presidential candidate for 2027, a development it did not directly confirm in its latest statement but has been linked to ongoing internal divisions within the party.
Mohammed, however, dismissed the Jonathan endorsement reports outright, calling on party members, supporters and the general public to disregard what he described as fabricated information intended to mislead Nigerians.
“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.”
He further stressed that the PDP had already concluded all its primary elections in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines, and the party’s constitution.
Mohammed warned that the circulation of unverified political claims could undermine internal party stability and create unnecessary tension within the broader political environment.
The faction also called on former President Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the speculation, arguing that such clarification would help protect his reputation and preserve the integrity of the democratic process.
It urged security agencies to take steps to identify and prosecute those behind the reports, describing the situation as a deliberate attempt to sow confusion within the polity ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development highlights continuing internal divisions within the PDP as various factions position themselves ahead of what is expected to be a highly competitive electoral cycle.
