A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has submitted the name of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, despite lingering disputes over the party’s recognised leadership.
The development comes amid an unresolved internal crisis within the opposition party, with rival factions continuing to lay claim to the PDP’s national leadership. The leadership tussle has raised fresh questions over the legitimacy of decisions taken by the competing groups ahead of the 2027 elections.
The faction, which insists it represents the authentic leadership of the party, formally forwarded Jonathan’s name to INEC as its preferred presidential flagbearer, signalling its determination to press ahead with preparations for the next general election despite the ongoing dispute.
However, the move is expected to face legal and political scrutiny, as INEC has consistently maintained that it only recognises party officials and decisions in line with the law and valid court judgments. The electoral umpire has repeatedly stated that political parties must resolve internal leadership disputes through the appropriate legal channels.
The submission is likely to deepen the crisis within the PDP, where rival camps continue to disagree over the party’s direction, leadership structure and strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Former President Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s President between 2010 and 2015, has yet to publicly confirm or reject the reported submission of his name by the faction. His silence has fuelled speculation over whether he is actively seeking a return to the presidential contest.
Political observers say the latest development underscores the challenges confronting the PDP as it seeks to reposition itself as a formidable opposition ahead of the next general election. They note that unless the party resolves its internal divisions, its prospects in the 2027 elections could be significantly affected.
The coming weeks are expected to determine whether the submission gains legal backing or becomes another chapter in the PDP’s prolonged leadership crisis.
