A fresh crisis has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as rival factions clash over the planned adoption of former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The Tanimu Turaki-led faction has insisted on proceeding with a special convention scheduled in Abuja to formally ratify Jonathan’s nomination, despite strong opposition from another PDP camp aligned with Nyesom Wike, which has dismissed the exercise as illegal and unauthorised.

The Turaki group says all necessary arrangements have been concluded, including notification of security agencies and payment for the event venue. It maintains that the convention will go ahead as planned and accuses opposing forces of attempting to frustrate the process.

However, the Wike-backed PDP leadership has rejected the move, stating that no such convention or nomination process has been approved by any recognised organ of the party. The faction also insists that all party primaries for the 2027 elections have already been concluded in line with electoral guidelines.

The dispute has further exposed deep divisions within the opposition party, with both camps laying claim to legitimacy and control of the PDP structure.

Former President Jonathan, whose name is at the centre of the controversy, has not publicly confirmed acceptance of the nomination, remaining silent amid the growing political tension.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has also warned that event centres and hotels in Abuja risk sanctions if used for political activities by groups not recognised by INEC, further intensifying the standoff ahead of the planned convention.