PDP faction submits Goodluck Jonathan for 2027 election

A faction of Nigeria's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has submitted the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, escalating a bitter internal leadership dispute. The faction, known as the Interim National Working Committee, announced on Thursday, July 30, 2026, that it manually delivered its full slate of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after being denied access to the commission's digital nomination portal.

The committee's National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stated at a news conference in Abuja that the submission, which includes candidates for president, governor, and the National Assembly, was made in full compliance with the Electoral Act 2026 and was duly acknowledged by INEC. He characterized INEC's refusal to provide electronic access codes as an "administrative convenience rather than a legal requirement."

This action directly challenges the PDP's other major faction, which is led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. That faction had earlier affirmed former Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate and...