Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been granted a waiver by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party led by Kabiru Turaki, effectively clearing him as the party’s sole presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development was announced after the PDP presidential screening exercise in Abuja, where party officials disclosed that Jonathan would not undergo the normal screening process because of his extensive political experience, having previously served as deputy governor, governor, vice president and president of Nigeria.
Former Babangida Aliyu, who represented former Vice President Namadi Sambo, chairman of the screening committee, said the party unanimously agreed that Jonathan did not require further screening.
According to Aliyu, the former president’s political background and previous service records made the screening unnecessary.
“The party had already given a presidential aspirant a waiver from screening. He was deputy governor, became governor, became vice president and later president, so we did not see anything that needed screening,” Aliyu stated.
“Therefore, the party has given him a waiver and declared him cleared as the PDP candidate for the presidential election, and that is former President Jonathan.”
Aliyu also revealed that the PDP granted a waiver to the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, citing his previous roles as deputy governor and ambassador, as well as ongoing political responsibilities in Oyo State.
He explained that the screening committee had already received aspirants from several states, including Taraba State, Adamawa State, Kano State, Akwa Ibom State and Delta State, adding that the exercise would continue for others who had yet to appear before the panel.
Aliyu maintained that despite internal crises and defections, the PDP remained determined to participate actively in the 2027 elections.
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,” he added.
When asked whether Jonathan was currently the only presidential aspirant seeking the PDP ticket, Aliyu responded affirmatively, saying, “As far as I know, as of today, yes.”
The latest development is expected to intensify political conversations ahead of the 2027 presidential race, especially amid ongoing coalition talks and realignments within Nigeria’s major opposition parties.
