Daud Olatunji
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to publicly clarify his position on the 2027 presidential election, warning that continued silence over reports linking him with a rival PDP bloc could damage his reputation.
The group, under the umbrella of the PDP Chairmen’s Forum, made the demand during a press conference in Abuja on Monday, accusing the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of exploiting Jonathan’s name to legitimise what it described as an illegitimate leadership structure within the party.
Chairman of the forum, Austin Nwachukwu, urged the former president to distance himself from the faction and publicly state whether he had any involvement with its activities.
According to him, Jonathan’s silence was fuelling confusion among party members and the public.
“It is public knowledge that your name is being used by these shameless people to perpetuate their ignoble activities,” Nwachukwu said.
“This must stop. Silence in the face of such misuse damages not just the party, but your own legacy of peace and statesmanship.”
The development comes amid a deepening leadership crisis within the PDP, with rival factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership ahead of political realignments for the 2027 general elections.
The Wike-backed faction also urged the FCT Minister to order a security review of a two-storey building located at Owo Close, Area 10, Garki, Abuja, reportedly being used by the Turaki-led group as its national secretariat.
Nwachukwu argued that allowing the faction to continue operating from the facility could threaten public peace and security in the nation’s capital.
“We urge the minister to cause an immediate security review and take necessary administrative action in the interest of peace in the nation’s capital,” he said.
The forum further called on the National Working Committee led by Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulraham Mohammed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, to institute fresh legal proceedings against the Turaki-led group.
It alleged that members of the rival faction were impersonating party officials, forging documents and acting in defiance of existing court orders.
“The deception of the entire PDP membership must end,” Nwachukwu said.
“We urge the NWC to immediately file contempt proceedings and other appropriate legal actions against these expelled individuals for impersonation, forgery and disobedience of court orders.
“The party must protect its name, logo and structure through lawful means.”
The latest demand adds to mounting political pressure on Jonathan, whose name has repeatedly surfaced in recent weeks in connection with the 2027 presidential race despite the former president making no public declaration of interest.
Jonathan has yet to respond to the latest call by the Wike-backed PDP faction as of the time of filing this report.
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