ABUJA – Fresh cracks have emerged within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as Turaki faction of the party on Tuesday declared former President, Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Since the declaration of the former President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the factional PDP, the social media platforms have been washed with reactions by Nigerians, some supporting the idea, while others described it as a ploy to ridicule Jonathan in his second coming.

The move by Turaki-led faction further intensifies the battle for the soul of Nigeria’s main opposition party, following the faction’s presidential and governorship screening exercise held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where party loyalists and political stakeholders gathered.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, who represented the chairman of the screening committee and former Vice President, Senator Namadi Sambo, announced that Jonathan had been successfully cleared to contest under the platform of the faction. Aliyu described Jonathan as a unifying figure with national appeal and sufficient political experience to reposition both the party and the country, stressing that the former president remains the most credible option capable of restoring confidence in governance.

The development comes at a time the PDP has continued to grapple with leadership disputes, defections, and growing divisions among major blocs within the party. In recent months, tensions have heightened over zoning arrangements, control of party structures, and the future direction of the opposition party following its disappointing performance in the 2023 general election.

Political observers believe the emergence of multiple tendencies within the PDP could complicate efforts by the party to rebuild a united front against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of 2027. Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 under the PDP, has repeatedly remained a subject of speculation in national politics despite maintaining a relatively low political profile since leaving office.

His name has resurfaced in several political calculations over the years, with supporters portraying him as a stabilising figure capable of reconciling aggrieved interests within the opposition camp. However, the latest endorsement by the Turaki faction is expected to generate fresh controversy within the PDP, especially among other presidential hopefuls and party stakeholders already positioning themselves for the 2027 race.

As of press time, the national leadership of the PDP had yet to officially react to the declaration but, so far Goodluck Jonathan’s acceptance to run on the PDP ticket is perceived as the reviving option for rekindling the wobbling PDP.