Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is among the options being considered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for its 2027 presidential ticket, the party confirmed yesterday.
The PDP also declared that its forthcoming national convention, slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, is unstoppable despite internal and external opposition.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who also serves as Secretary of the Publicity Sub-Committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), said the party deliberately extended the deadline for submission of nomination forms to allow states more time for consultations and micro-zoning of positions.
While distancing himself from claims by Prof. Jerry Gana that Jonathan was the party’s likely candidate, Ologunagba noted that the PDP boasts of performing governors and other eminent figures capable of flying its flag in 2027.
“I don’t speak for Prof. Gana or former President Jonathan, but our party has many worthy personalities and we shall cross the bridge when we get there,” he said.
On reports of a parallel PDP congress in Cross River allegedly backed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Ologunagba dismissed the development as “mere hallucination,” insisting that no valid congress had taken place in the state. He stressed that the South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi remains in charge of the chapter pending a proper congress.
He also clarified that the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) is the only body authorized to make decisions for the PDP, dismissing conflicting correspondence sent to INEC by some individuals.
“Some people in our fold may be working with the APC, we know that. But we remain united and focused as a party,” he said.
The PDP spokesman further revealed that 15 sub-committees have been inaugurated to ensure a hitch-free convention in Ibadan, covering areas such as screening, venue management, transportation, publicity, security, accreditation, welfare, and constitutional review.
Ologunagba said congresses had already been successfully concluded in states including Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Borno, Niger, Kogi, and Adamawa, while those in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi have been postponed pending INEC notification.
On the upcoming Ekiti governorship race, he disclosed that five aspirants — including two women who benefitted from the party’s free nomination policy to encourage female participation — have purchased forms, with screening scheduled for October 2 in Abuja.
According to him, the PDP’s Ibadan convention would mark a turning point in Nigeria’s democracy:
“This is why the APC is jittery. Our 16 years of prosperity stand in stark contrast to their years of scarcity,” he added.
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