The Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has granted former President Goodluck Jonathan a waiver for presidential race, clearing him to participate in its presidential primary process without undergoing the standard screening procedure. The decision followed a screening exercise conducted by the faction’s presidential screening committee in Abuja.

The development is part of internal preparations within the PDP faction led by Kabiru Turaki as it organises its nomination processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The waiver for presidential race was issued under internal party arrangements that allow selected aspirants to be exempted from certain procedural requirements during screening. The faction has been conducting screenings for aspirants across different electoral categories, including presidential, governorship, and legislative positions, as part of its structured timetable for candidate selection.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has remained a recurring figure in discussions around presidential succession within the PDP and its associated political structures. The waiver for presidential race was confirmed following the conclusion of the screening exercise in Abuja, where Jonathan was considered for participation in the faction’s presidential contest.

A member of the screening committee, Babangida Aliyu, a former Governor of Niger State, stated that Jonathan was cleared in line with the faction’s internal rules governing aspirant eligibility and screening procedures. The committee explained that the waiver aligns with provisions that permit exemptions based on decisions taken by the leadership and screening authorities within the faction.

The waiver for presidential race effectively allows Jonathan to proceed directly to the next stage of the faction’s nomination process without undergoing further vetting procedures applied to other aspirants. Party officials noted that the screening process remains part of broader efforts to structure internal democracy and organise primaries across all elective offices within the faction.

The waiver for presidential race highlights internal decision-making dynamics within the PDP faction and its approach to managing high-profile aspirants in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

It also reflects how internal party rules and exemptions can influence candidate selection processes and shape competition among political actors. The decision may further intensify political engagement within the faction as aspirants and stakeholders position themselves ahead of the presidential primary stage.