PDP Crisis Deepens: Turaki Faction Ratifies Goodluck Jonathan as 2027 Candidate After Police Barricade Venue

The Peoples Democratic Party is now in open split. A faction led by Kabiru Turaki ratified former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole 2027 presidential candidate on Saturday, May 30, 2026, after armed police blocked their original convention venue in Abuja.

Armed police officers barricaded the A-Class Event Centre, Abuja, on Saturday. Patrol vans blocked both roads leading to the venue from Wuse and Maitama Districts, stopping delegates from entering.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration had warned hotels and event centres on Friday not to host factions of political parties not recognized by INEC. The FCTA said venues that disobey risk losing their title documents.

The Turaki-led faction refused to back down. Instead, they moved the convention to a private apartment in Owo Close, Area 10, Garki District, Abuja, and carried out the ratification.

At the new venue, the ratification was fast-tracked. Chairman of the Forum of PDP State Chairmen, Tony Aziegbemi, moved the motion. Former Minister of Aviation Sanusi Dagash seconded it.

Aziegbemi told delegates: “The PDP, having conducted free and credible primary elections in the 36 states, hereby at this special convention, adopts Jonathan as the sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election.”

Goodluck Jonathan was absent. The Certificate of Return was received by Rep. Fred Agbedi from Bayelsa State for delivery to the former president. Top PDP chieftains attended, including BoT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Jerry Gana, and Oyo PDP governorship candidate Taofeek Arapaja.

The Mohammed faction, backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, is the one INEC recognizes. They nominated former senator Sandy Onor as their presidential candidate. Onor has accepted and is rallying support.

The Turaki faction, which served with Jonathan as Special Duties Minister, adopted Jonathan earlier this month. Jonathan has remained silent — he’s neither accepted nor rejected the nomination.

The police action followed the FCTA directive aimed at stopping “unrecognized” party activities. But the Turaki faction insists it won’t be intimidated.

With two parallel conventions and two candidates, PDP now faces a legal and political battle ahead of 2027. INEC will likely only deal with the Wike-backed faction, making Jonathan’s candidacy uncertain unless the party reunifies.

Jonathan himself has stayed quiet. He didn’t run in 2023 despite speculation, and he hasn’t picked up nomination forms this time either.

A PDP faction just handed Goodluck Jonathan the Certificate of Return for 2027, but police and FCTA shut down their venue. With INEC backing the Wike faction and Sandy Onor, the Jonathan ratification creates more confusion for Nigeria’s main opposition party.