2027: Jonathan gets PDP waiver, emerges sole presidential aspirant in Turaki-led faction

The Peoples Democratic Party faction led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, has granted former President Goodluck Jonathan a waiver from its presidential screening process ahead of the 2027 election.

 

Party officials also confirmed that Jonathan is currently the faction’s only presidential aspirant.

 

Former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, who represented former Vice President Namadi Sambo, chairman of the screening committee, said Jonathan’s previous public offices made screening unnecessary.

 

“The party had already given a presidential aspirant a waiver from screening,” Aliyu said.

 

“Like I said in the beginning, he was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president, became president, so we didn’t see anything that needed screening.

 

“Therefore, the party had given him waiver. In other words, he has been declared and cleared as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election, and that is former President Jonathan.”

 

Aliyu also disclosed that the party granted a waiver to its National Secretary, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, citing his responsibilities in Oyo State.

 

“The other waiver is also for the former deputy governor and ambassador, and the secretary of the party, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, who for many reasons, has to be in Ibadan, Oyo State to ensure that everything has gone well. So we also declared him as being given a waiver by the party,” he said.

 

According to Aliyu, the screening committee has so far attended to aspirants from Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta states.

 

He added that the exercise would continue for aspirants yet to appear before the panel within the stipulated timeframe.

 

“We are very happy that even those who have been attempting to kill the party cannot succeed, and the party will contest this election by the grace of God and by the constitution of Nigeria,” Aliyu said.

 

When asked whether Jonathan was the only presidential aspirant seeking the PDP ticket, Aliyu replied: “As far as I know, as far as of today, at this moment, yes, sir.”