The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied reports suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan would emerge as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The group described the reports as false, misleading and unauthorised.
The faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, made this known in a statement issued on Friday.
Mohammed called on security agencies to investigate those behind the reports and prosecute anyone found responsible for what the party described as attempts to create political tension and disrepute within the polity.
The reaction followed Thursday’s announcement by the Interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki, which disclosed plans to hold a convention in Abuja on Saturday to formally endorse Jonathan as the PDP’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The faction also noted that Senator Sandy Onor had already been screened, cleared and officially presented as its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Reacting further, the PDP faction urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the planned endorsement in order to protect both the democratic process and his personal reputation.
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party has been drawn to misleading information and unfounded reports circulating in certain quarters regarding an alleged planned convention aimed at affirming former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the presidential candidate of the PDP.
“The party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting or process has been scheduled, approved or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“We therefore urge party faithful, supporters, stakeholders and members of the public to disregard such false information, as it is misleading, unauthorised and intended to create confusion within the polity,” the statement read.
The faction added that all its primary elections, including governorship, National Assembly and presidential primaries, had already been concluded in line with INEC guidelines, the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.
