The faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has waived the screening process for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the party’s presidential primary for the 2027 election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State and member of the PDP screening committee, announced the decision on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking on behalf of former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who chairs the panel.
Aliyu said Jonathan was exempted from the exercise because of his previous experience serving as deputy governor, governor, vice-president and eventually president of Nigeria.
“As you know, the party had already given the presidential aspirant a waiver. He was deputy governor, governor, vice-president, and later president, so we didn’t see anything that needed screening,” Aliyu said.
He added that the former president had effectively been cleared to contest as the PDP’s presidential candidate. The committee also reportedly granted a waiver to Taofeek Arapaja, a former member of the party’s national working committee, ahead of the Oyo governorship race.
The screening panel is currently reviewing aspirants for governorship and legislative positions across several states including Taraba, Kano, Adamawa, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
