A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, has adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
A member of the faction’s presidential screening committee, Babangida Aliyu, made the announcement during the screening exercise for aspirants in Abuja. Aliyu said former President Jonathan was granted a waiver from appearing before the screening panel because of his previous experience in public office, which, according to him, automatically qualifies Jonathan for the contest.
He said former President Jonathan’s long tenure in public office made him eligible for a special waiver under the panel’s guidelines.The faction also granted a screening waiver to Taofeek Arapaja, a member of its Interim National Working Committee, who is contesting the Oyo State governorship election.
Other governorship aspirants screened and cleared by the committee as of the time of filing this report include Myebangara Andrew of Adamawa State, Ikenya Danlami of Taraba State, Etanabene Benedict of Delta State, and Abdullahi Sheriff of Yobe State.
The move by the Makinde‑backed PDP bloc signals a fresh realignment ahead of the 2027 polls, as party leaders seek to consolidate support around a single presidential standard bearer.