The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election is open to former President Goodluck Jonathan and all qualified members of the party from the southern part of the country.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Tanimu Turaki, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the three-hour meeting, Turaki reiterated that the party had resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, stressing that no individual had been preselected.
“You see, like I’ve always said, we in PDP have decided to zone our presidential ticket to the southern part of this country. For now, we do not know who may emerge as our candidate, even though we know those who will not be our candidates,” he said.
Asked specifically if the former president would contest, Turaki said the ticket was open to all eligible PDP members from the South.
“So it’s open for every member of PDP that is living in southern Nigeria or of southern Nigeria descent,” he added.
The PDP chairman assured party members and Nigerians that the process of picking the party’s flagbearer would be transparent and fair.
“The process is going to be open, it’s going to be transparent, it’s going to be fair, it’s going to be equitable, and it’s going to create a level playing field for everybody,” Turaki stated.
He further noted that the ultimate choice of the party’s presidential candidate would rest with Nigerians.
“So if, for whatever reason, anybody wants to contest, we want to assure you, Nigerians, that you will be the deciders of who becomes your candidate,” he said.
Turaki also disclosed that the former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, pledged continued support for the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections, describing the meeting as part of ongoing consultations to reposition the party for electoral victory.