Goodluck Jonathan reaffirms PDP loyalty, pledging support and guidance to Turaki-led leadership ahead of upcoming elections
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reaffirmed his loyalty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressing a deep sense of obligation to the party, the Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) said on Tuesday.
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The statement followed a closed-door meeting in Abuja between Jonathan and the party’s newly elected leadership, introduced to him after the National Convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, PDP Chairman Tanimu Turaki described Jonathan’s response as “reassuring and very encouraging,” noting that the former president remains an active card-carrying member of the party.
“We have solicited, as usual, for his support, for his guidance, for his advice, as always. He has assured us that PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels obligated to PDP,” Turaki said.
The party leadership stressed that Jonathan’s backing is timely as the PDP prepares for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections.
Turaki also insisted that despite internal disputes, the PDP remains the “most veritable platform” for winning elections in Nigeria.
“We still remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of PDP is taking this party back to the people, who are the owners. There will be no longer impunity, and we are not going to allow people to take what does not belong to them,” he said.
Responding to questions on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s exclusion of the party’s candidate for the Ekiti election, Turaki said the PDP had fulfilled all statutory obligations.
“We had done manual submission to INEC, which they collected. INEC, as a regulator, has the discretion to attend or refuse, but they honoured our notices, monitored our primaries, and wrote reports. As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership,” he said.
On ongoing internal disputes and the potential for reconciliation, Turaki emphasised that the party remains open to dialogue with aggrieved members.
“I am one of the advocates who believe that it is not every political disagreement you take to court. But we were the ones sued. We have an obligation to defend the party. Even after these matters are resolved by the courts, we will still come back. We are willing to carry along those who are loyal and show genuine remorse,” he said.
Turaki added that the leadership is ready to convene a “round table” with all members to foster unity and ensure the PDP moves forward as “one big family.”
Present at the meeting were former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Prof. Jerry Gana, PDP South-South Caretaker Committee Chairman Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja, National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, and Deputy National Secretary Richard Ihediwa.
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The Turaki-led NWC has also met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other party leaders across the country in a series of outreach engagements.
