The Nyesom Wike-aligned faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced itself from reports of a planned convention to affirm former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate, describing the claims as false and unauthorised.
In a statement issued on Friday, the faction said its attention had been drawn to what it called “misleading information and unfounded reports” about an alleged convention to endorse Jonathan for the presidency.
The statement, signed by the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, said no such gathering had been approved by the leadership it recognises as the legitimate PDP structure.
“The Party wishes to categorically state that no such convention, meeting, or process has been scheduled, approved, or endorsed by the leadership or any recognised organ of the Peoples Democratic Party,” the statement said.
The faction urged party members, supporters and the general public to disregard the reports, describing them as “misleading, unauthorised, and intended to create confusion within the polity.”
The statement came a day after Turaki-led PDP faction announced plans to hold a convention in Abuja to ratify Jonathan’s presidential candidature.
According to Mohammed, the PDP had already concluded all its primary elections, including those for governorship, state and national legislative positions, as well as its presidential primary, in line with electoral regulations and the party’s constitution.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has successfully concluded all its primary elections, including those for Governorship, State Houses of Assembly, National Assembly, and the Presidential election primaries in accordance with INEC guidelines, the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Constitution of the Party,” the statement said.
The faction added that the exercises were peacefully conducted and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
It also called on Jonathan to publicly distance himself from the reported convention.
“In view of this development, we respectfully call on former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to publicly dissociate himself from this charade in order to protect the integrity of the democratic process and preserve the credibility he earned while serving the nation,” the statement said.
The faction further urged security agencies to investigate the source of the reports and take action against those responsible.
It warned that it would not allow the PDP to be dragged into disrepute through “falsehood, misinformation, and unauthorised political activities aimed at undermining its integrity and democratic structures.”
The Wike-aligned group reaffirmed its commitment to due process, internal democracy and the rule of law, while advising members of the public to rely only on communications issued by officials it recognises as authorised representatives of the party.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
