The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki, SAN, on Tuesday exempted former President Goodluck Jonathan from its presidential screening process ahead of the 2027 election, confirming him as the party’s only presidential aspirant for now.
Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, who represented former Vice President Namadi Sambo, chairman of the screening committee, said the party considered Jonathan’s political experience sufficient and saw no reason for further screening.
According to Aliyu, “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.
“And 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 also disclosed that the PDP extended a similar waiver to the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, who previously served as deputy governor and ambassador.
He explained, “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, have 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.”
He noted that the screening committee had already attended to aspirants from Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom and Delta states, adding that the process would continue for others expected to appear before the panel within the approved timeframe.
Aliyu expressed confidence in the party’s chances ahead of the election, saying, “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.”
When asked if Jonathan remained the only aspirant seeking the PDP presidential ticket, Aliyu responded: “As far as I know, as far as of today, at this moment, yes, sir.”