Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday received members of the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, urging the party to rebuild and strengthen its structures ahead of forthcoming elections.
The delegation, led by the PDP National Chairman, Senator Tanimu Turaki, met Jonathan behind closed doors as part of consultations with party elders following the emergence of the new national leadership at the party’s convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was aimed at formally introducing the new leadership to the former president and seeking his guidance as the party prepares for off-season elections and the 2027 general polls.
He described Jonathan’s response as reassuring and encouraging, noting that the former president reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and his readiness to remain actively involved in its affairs.
“We solicited his support, his guidance and his advice. He has assured us that he remains a card-carrying member of the PDP, that he is active and will be even more active in the affairs of the party,” Turaki said.
According to him, Jonathan expressed a strong sense of obligation to the PDP, stressing that the party had stood by him throughout his political career.
“His remarks were not only reassuring but very encouraging as we begin preparations for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections,” he added.
Turaki acknowledged the internal challenges facing the PDP but insisted the party remains the most credible opposition platform in the country.
“We remain the leading opposition party in Nigeria. This new leadership is determined to return the party to the people, who are the true owners. There will be inclusivity, a level playing field and no room for impunity,” he said.
On the controversy surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) exclusion of the PDP’s candidate in the Ekiti election, Turaki maintained that the party complied with all statutory requirements.
He said INEC monitored the party’s primaries and initially provided access to its portal for uploading relevant documents before later blocking access.
“We also made manual submissions, which INEC collected. As far as I am concerned, INEC has recognised this leadership,” he said.
Addressing the lingering internal crisis and ongoing litigation, Turaki said the party remains open to reconciliation, even as it defends itself in court.
“I believe strongly in reconciliation. We were not the ones who went to court; we were sued and had to defend the party. But after the courts have resolved these matters, we are ready to reconcile and move forward together,” he said.
He added that the leadership was willing to convene a roundtable with aggrieved members to rebuild the party as “one big PDP family.”
Those present at the meeting included former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana; Chairman of the PDP South-South Caretaker Committee, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi; National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary, Richard Ihediwa.
The Turaki-led NWC has also met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other party leaders across the country as part of its ongoing consultations.
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