Nigeria: Keyamo Urges Jonathan to Reject PDP Faction's 2027 Presidential Nomination

31 May 2026
Leadership (Abuja)
By Habeebah Basah

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly reject a reported presidential nomination extended to him by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general election.

Keyamo said the faction behind the nomination is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), questioning the legality and political weight of its actions.

The controversy stems from an announcement by a PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki, which reportedly presented Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election cycle.

The development came weeks after another faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), linked to supporters of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly named Sandy Onor as its presidential flagbearer.

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Reacting in a post on X on Sunday, Keyamo described the unfolding developments as a "bizarre comedy" and criticised those behind the nomination process.

"This is some kind of bizarre comedy taken too far by supposedly grown adults and some names that were actually in the corridors of power at some point in this country," he wrote.

He further questioned the authority of the faction making the nomination, insisting it lacks formal recognition.

"Giving a whole presidential ticket to an ex-president and statesman by proxy and by a bunch of people not even registered on INEC's website.

"And they don't give a hoot, dragging such a revered figure into their charade that is certainly a journey to nowhere. Quite sad," he stated.

Keyamo also urged Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the nomination, saying it was necessary to protect his international reputation.

"For the sake of his global image, President Goodluck Jonathan must immediately issue a strong 'no, thank you' statement," he said.

At the time of filing this report, Jonathan has not publicly responded to the nomination announced by the Turaki-led PDP faction.

Read the original article on Leadership.

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