Former President Goodluck Jonathan has emerged as the 2027 presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki.
The decision was ratified at a special national convention held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the faction’s office in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, was absent at the event.
His certificate of return was received by Bayelsa lawmaker Fred Agbedi on his behalf.
The convention was initially scheduled to take place at the A-Class Park and Event Centre in Abuja.
However, the venue was changed after restrictions linked to the <a href=”https://www.inecnigeria.org”>Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)</a> recognition rules.
Security operatives blocked access roads to the original venue, forcing delegates to relocate to the party office.
Convention Disruption And Security Tension
After the ratification, party leaders returned to the A-Class venue to engage security personnel stationed there.
Soon after, suspected thugs arrived in two buses and attacked attendees with sticks, disrupting the gathering.
The violence forced party leaders, journalists, and supporters to flee, while some personal belongings were reportedly stolen.
Police officers later intervened and restored order at the scene.
The disruption reflects ongoing tensions within the PDP, which has faced internal divisions since its 2023 election defeat.
Turaki Speaks On Democracy And Strategy
Kabiru Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and leader of the faction, addressed supporters shortly before the disruption.
He defended the group’s right to assemble under Nigeria’s constitution.
“No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think that they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons.”
Turaki also set the tone for the party’s electoral approach.
“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls.”
“We will meet you there, we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground.”
He called on party members to remain calm despite the tensions.
“I want to plead with our delegates, please go back to your respective destinations. Resist any amount of provocation.”
“Any person you see trying to fight, believe that he does not have the chances of winning.”
“We believe we are on the right course. We believe that we are going to win the election. Therefore, fighting is not for us.”
The faction said a new date will be announced for the formal presentation of Jonathan’s party flag.
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