- Aliyu also revealed that the screening requirement was waived for former member of the PDP National Working Committee
- He maintained that the committee would continue clearing aspirants within the approved timeline
- He further claimed that the former president was preparing to publicly submit the nomination documents
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Turaki has exempted former President Goodluck Jonathan from the party’s screening process ahead of its presidential primary.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the development was disclosed on Tuesday in Abuja by former Niger State governor and member of the PDP screening committee, Babangida Aliyu.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Fani-Kayode, Omokri Oppose Return Of Power To North Before 2031, Endorse Tinubu For 2027
- Putin defends Ukraine war amid NATO aggression claims
- Epe Stakeholders Unite in Massive Endorsement for Wale Raji, Tobun, Tinubu, Others
Aliyu, who represented former Vice President and chairman of the screening panel, Namadi Sambo, said Jonathan’s previous public service record made further screening unnecessary.
He noted that Jonathan had served as deputy governor, governor, vice president and later president, adding that the party had therefore granted him a waiver and cleared him for the presidential contest.
Aliyu also revealed that the screening requirement was waived for former member of the PDP National Working Committee, Taofeek Arapaja, ahead of the Oyo governorship race.
According to him, the committee has already screened governorship aspirants from states including Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta, while the exercise remains ongoing.
He maintained that the committee would continue clearing aspirants within the approved timeline and expressed confidence in the party’s readiness for the election.
Meanwhile, PDP chieftain Umar Sani claimed that Jonathan had obtained the party’s presidential nomination form for the 2027 election.
Sani, who previously served as media aide to Namadi Sambo, made the claim during an interview on Trust TV.
He argued that Jonathan’s recent consultations and political activities suggested growing interest in a possible return to the presidential race more than a decade after leaving office.
Although Jonathan has not officially declared his ambition or announced any political platform, Sani insisted that his actions indicated serious intent, adding that obtaining nomination forms was one of the early steps for any aspirant.
He further claimed that the former president was preparing to publicly submit the nomination documents.
FURTHER READING
