2027: PDP Faction Declares Jonathan Cleared Without Screening

2027: PDP Faction Declares Jonathan Cleared Without Screening
Babangida Aliyu says Jonathan already fulfilled all leadership requirements
Jonathan remains only presidential aspirant under PDP faction currently

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, has granted former President Goodluck Jonathan a waiver from the party’s presidential screening process ahead of the 2027 general election.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the development was announced on Monday as party officials confirmed that Jonathan remains the only presidential aspirant currently seeking the PDP ticket under the faction.

Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, who represented former Vice President Namadi Sambo, chairman of the screening committee, said the panel considered Jonathan qualified without the need for further screening because of his extensive political experience.

Aliyu stated that the former president had already occupied the highest political offices in the country and therefore did not require additional assessment by the committee.

“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.

“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 said.

He also disclosed that the PDP granted a similar waiver to the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, citing his previous experience as deputy governor and ambassador.

“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 been given a waiver by the party,” Aliyu added.

According to him, the screening committee had already received aspirants from Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, noting that the exercise would continue for those yet to appear before the panel within the approved timeframe.

Aliyu also expressed confidence in the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that efforts by some individuals to weaken the PDP would not succeed.

“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,” he said.

PDP Jonathan Screening — 2027: PDP Faction Declares Jonathan Cleared Without Screening

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