PDP Waives Screening Requirement For Goodluck Jonathan

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, has waived screening requirements for former President, Goodluck Jonathan, ahead of the party’s presidential primary.

Naija News reports that the former governor of Niger state and member of the PDP screening committee, Babangida Aliyu, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja.

Aliyu, who represented the former vice-president and chairman of the screening panel, Namadi Sambo, said Jonathan, being a former president, does not need to undergo screening.

He said, “As you know, the party had already given the presidential aspirant a waiver. He was deputy governor, governor, vice-president, and later president, so we didn’t see anything that needed screening.

“And therefore, the party had given him a waiver. In other words, he has been cleared and declared as a candidate of the PDP for the presidential election that is, President Jonathan.”

Aliyu said the party also waived the screening requirement for a former member of the PDP national working committee (NWC), Taofeek Arapaja, to contest the Oyo governorship election.

According to Aliyu, the committee screened governorship aspirants from various states, including Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Akwa Ibom, and Delta.

He added, “So our committee is still in place. The committee will continue the screening exercise and clear aspirants within the screening period accordingly.

“We are very happy that those who have been attempting to kill the party have not succeeded. The party will contest this election by the grace of God and by the constitution of Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, PDP chieftain, Umar Sani, had claimed that Jonathan had purchased a presidential nomination form ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sani, who served as Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, made the claim on Tuesday during an appearance on Trust TV.

According to him, Jonathan’s recent political moves and consultations indicate he may be preparing to return to the presidential race, nearly 12 years after leaving office.

Although the former president has yet to publicly declare his intention to contest or name the political platform he may use, Sani said Jonathan’s actions already showed serious interest.

He argued that in politics, action mattered more than public statements, adding that one of the first steps for any aspirant was to obtain a nomination form.

“In politics, what is important is action. If you are interested, there are processes you have to follow, one of which is the procurement of nomination forms. He has done that,” he said.

When pressed further on whether Jonathan had indeed obtained the form, Sani replied, “Yes and in fact, he is about to come and submit the forms publicly.”