The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, has granted former President Goodluck Jonathan a waiver from the party’s presidential screening process ahead of the 2027 election. This effectively makes Jonathan the party’s sole presidential aspirant, according to party officials.
Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, representing former Vice President Namadi Sambo, chairman of the screening committee, said the party saw no need to screen Jonathan given his previous positions as deputy governor, governor, vice president, and president.
“The party had already given a presidential aspirant a waiver from screening. 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,” Aliyu said.
Jonathan has been declared and cleared as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election. The party also granted a waiver to its National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, a former deputy governor and ambassador
Aliyu said the screening committee had received aspirants from Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom, and Delta states, and the exercise would continue for those yet to appear before the panel.
“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,” Ali