ABUJA — Ahead of the 2027 general elections, a prominent faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has finalized plans to screen former President Goodluck Jonathan tomorrow, Tuesday, May 19, 2026, as its sole presidential aspirant.
The high-stakes political move marks a significant escalation in the ongoing battle for the soul of Nigeria’s main opposition party. The decision was made public in a statement released by the Interim National Working Committee (iNWC) of the faction, which enjoys strong backing from high-profile party stakeholders, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Heavyweights Drive the Screening Process
To oversee the clearance of the former president, the faction has constituted a high-powered 14-member screening committee packed with party veterans. Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi are among the political heavyweights listed to lead the evaluation.
Other notable members tasked with the screening exercise include:
- Chief Olabode George
- Dr. Babangida Aliyu
- Hajia Maryam Ciroma
- Hajia Zainab Maina
- Hajia Josephine Anenih
- Dr. Abdul Bulama
- Dr. Esther Uduehi
- Tony Aziegbemi (Edo State PDP Chairman)
- Dr. Sunday Solarium
- Chief Anicho Okoro (Administrative Secretary)
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, indicated that Dr. Jonathan’s path to the nomination had been cleared following his successful re-registration as a member of the party under the fresh digital registration exercise mandated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Nationwide Primary Screenings Commenced
Beyond the headline-grabbing presidential slot, the iNWC announced that the screening exercise would simultaneously kick off nationwide tomorrow starting at 10:00 a.m.
The faction is prepared to screen a massive influx of aspirants vying for various legislative and executive tickets. This includes 112 governorship aspirants, 198 senatorial hopefuls, and 748 individuals contesting for the House of Representatives. At the grassroots level, a total of 2,122 aspirants will face screening panels for State House of Assembly seats across the country.
According to the faction, the details and publication of the screening panels and appeal committees strictly align with the party’s established guidelines and timetable tailored for the 2027 general elections.
The Context of a Fractured Opposition
The move to establish Dr. Jonathan as a consensus figure comes amid deepening structural fractures within the PDP. Over the last year, parallel factions have battled for legitimacy, characterized by a flurry of suspensions and counter-expulsions among top party leadership.
Despite the internal turbulence, the Turaki-led NWC has consistently positioned itself as the authentic core of the party. During high-level consultative meetings at Jonathan’s private office earlier this year, the former president himself validated the faction’s resilience, declaring that the PDP remained alive, strong, and a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.
Political analysts note that by centering their 2027 strategy on Jonathan—who has previously been affirmed as constitutionally eligible to run by a Federal High Court judgment—the faction hopes to present a unified, experienced, and nationally recognizable figure capable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Whether this bold maneuver will bridge the gap between the warring factions or further splinter the opposition remains to be seen as the screening gets underway tomorrow.
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