The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday,adopted former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the party's consensus presidential candidate under the Turaki-led faction for the 2027 Presidential election, as the party screens aspirants ahead of its primaries in Abuja.

Chairman of the PDP National Screening Committee, former Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, announced the decision of the party after the screening of presidential and governorship aspirants seeking the party’s tickets in the buildup to the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, it could not be confirmed if the former President has collected the Expression of Interest and the Nomination Forms of the PDP at the time he was declared sole presidential aspirant of the party. It is also not ascertained if former President Jonathan has concluded his wide consultations and resolved to contest the 2027 presidential election as demanded by Youths who went on solidarity rally to his residence in Abuja.

However, Aliyu disclosed that Jonathan did not appear physically before the screening panel, having been granted a waiver on consensus by the party leadership alongside other key officials, including a former deputy governor, an ambassador and the party secretary.

According to Dr. Babangida, "I don't see anything that needed screening and, therefore, the party has given him waiver to come and start following...

"In other words, he has been declared and cleared as the candidate of the PDP for the presidential election, that is President Jonathan."

The aspirants described the process as transparent, credible and a reflection of the party’s internal democratic principles.

Governorship aspirants pledged to focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education and youth empowerment if elected, while the presidential camp promised to address insecurity, revive the economy and provide purposeful leadership for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, eight aspirants underwent physical screening, while others are expected to appear before the committee ahead of the stipulated deadline for conclusion of the exercise.