State chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the Dr. Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee (INWC), which has claimed he is the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of the PDP State Chairmen’s Forum and Imo State PDP Chairman, Austin Nwachukwu, urged Jonathan not to allow the group to continue using his name for what he described as illegitimate political activities.
The forum insisted that the PDP has only one recognised leadership under the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, which it said is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to the chairmen, while the Turaki-led group manually submitted Jonathan’s name and a list of National Assembly candidates to INEC after allegedly failing to obtain access codes to the commission’s portal, the recognised NWC successfully uploaded the names of its presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, and other candidates through the official platform.
They further noted that Jonathan’s name did not appear on INEC’s published list of qualified presidential candidates, arguing that this confirmed the electoral body does not recognise him as the PDP’s flag bearer.
The forum appealed to Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from the Turaki-led group.
“We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle of macabre dance by expelled PDP members,” the chairmen said.
They added that continued silence over the matter could damage both the party’s reputation and Jonathan’s legacy.
“It is public knowledge that your name is being used by these shameless people to perpetuate their ignoble activities. This must stop. Silence in the face of such misuse damages not just the party, but your own legacy of peace and statesmanship,” they stated.
The forum also accused the Turaki-led committee of forgery and misrepresenting court judgments in an attempt to create the impression that there is a faction within the PDP.
It called on security agencies to investigate the allegations and prosecute anyone found culpable.
Warning that the group’s activities could threaten public order, the chairmen said its actions demonstrated “utter disrespect for the rule of law” and posed “a clear and present danger to public order.”
They further urged the recognised PDP National Working Committee to institute legal action against the INWC.
The forum also appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to review the use of a building in Abuja’s Garki area where the Turaki-led group reportedly holds its meetings, alleging that the facility is being used for activities capable of undermining public peace and security in the FCT.
The PDP state chairmen reaffirmed that Abdulrahman Mohammed remains the party’s only recognised National Chairman and described individuals presenting themselves as leaders of a rival PDP faction as impostors who should be ignored.
