Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Monday, June 1, criticised the reported plan by the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate.
Speaking in Abuja during his monthly media chat, monitored by Leadership, Wike said the PDP faction cannot drag Jonathan into the 2027 elections or act through proxies.
A faction of the PDP led by Turaki had announced plans to present Jonathan as the party’s flag-bearer for the 2027 presidential election.
The faction, in a statement by its national spokesperson, Ini Ememobong, said the flag presentation ceremony would take place on a date to be announced later.
The spokesman stated that despite the alleged intimidation, the faction proceeded with the ratification exercise, during which delegates unanimously endorsed Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate.
The PDP is currently split into two factions, with one led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and backed by Wike and the other led by Turaki, who served as minister in the Jonathan administration.
The Wike-backed faction, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognises, has nominated Sandy Onor, a former senator, as its presidential candidate, while the Turaki faction adopted Jonathan as its candidate earlier in May.
While Onor has accepted the nomination and urged party members to support his candidacy, Jonathan has remained silent on his adoption by the rival faction.
