PDP’s Big Reveal: Jonathan Leads The Charge as 21 Governorship Candidates Get Certificates

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced stricter measures aimed at preventing elected officials from defecting to other political parties after securing electoral victories on its platform.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The party disclosed on Wednesday that all candidates whose names will be forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general elections will be required to sign binding undertakings affirming their commitment to remain loyal to the PDP.

The announcement was made during a ceremony where the party presented Certificates of Return to 21 governorship candidates and reaffirmed its readiness for the 2027 elections.

The PDP also confirmed former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), said the party was determined to prevent a repeat of situations where candidates benefited from the PDP’s platform only to defect to rival parties after winning office.

According to him, prospective candidates will be required to formally pledge their loyalty before their names are submitted to INEC.

Turaki explained that the party had also conducted extensive screening, background checks and security assessments on its governorship candidates to minimise legal disputes and integrity concerns that could jeopardise its chances at the polls.

He stated that the PDP was focused not only on winning elections but also on ensuring that any victories secured were protected from legal challenges that could overturn electoral outcomes.

While noting that most governorship candidates had successfully completed the screening process and received their Certificates of Return, Turaki revealed that a small number of aspirants were still undergoing verification due to issues the party considered important enough to be resolved before clearance.

Expressing confidence in the PDP’s preparedness, he declared that the party would field candidates in every constituency where elections would be conducted in 2027.

Turaki added that the PDP’s objective extends beyond participation, stressing that the party is entering the race with the intention of winning at all levels.

Also speaking, the National Organising Secretary of the PDP Interim National Working Committee, Hon. Theophilus Dakas Shan, announced that former President Goodluck Jonathan had emerged as the party’s presidential standard-bearer for the next general election.

According to Shan, Jonathan completed the necessary nomination processes and was duly endorsed by the party.

He further disclosed that despite the leadership crisis that followed the Supreme Court judgment nullifying the party’s Ibadan convention, the PDP successfully concluded its nationwide nomination exercise.

Shan stated that the party had produced 28 governorship candidates in states operating regular election cycles, alongside 109 senatorial candidates, 360 House of Representatives candidates and 993 House of Assembly candidates.

On behalf of the PDP State Chairmen Forum, the party’s chairman in Ondo State, Barrister Dupe Aisida, commended the Interim National Working Committee for steering the party through a difficult period marked by internal disputes and uncertainty.

Aisida said many doubted the PDP’s ability to withstand the challenges it faced, but maintained that the party had emerged stronger, more united and better positioned for future electoral contests.

He expressed confidence that PDP members across the country were motivated, determined and prepared for the political battles ahead as the countdown to the 2027 general elections gathers momentum.

Among those who received Governorship Certificates of Return were candidates from Kaduna, Kwara, Borno, Abia, Cross River, Yobe, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Oyo, Adamawa, Gombe, Rivers, Taraba, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Ogun, Kano, Benue, Lagos and Plateau states.