— Sambo, Ikimi, Jang on screening c’tee
By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially cleared former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant for the 2027 election, with screening scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday.
Jonathan, who governed Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, will face the party’s 14-member screening committee headed by former Vice-President Namadi Sambo.This came against the backdrop of suite standing in the way. A plaintiff, Johnmary Jideobi, has dragged Jonathan to the Federal High Court in Abuja, arguing that the former president has already served the constitutionally allowed two terms.
The suit, numbered FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025 and filed in October last year, contends that Jonathan’s tenure includes both the period he completed after President Umaru Yar’Adua’s death and his own full elected term from 2011 to 2015.Jonathan is not taking the case lightly.
He has engaged Chief Chris Uche (SAN) to file a preliminary objection, asking the court to throw out the suit. His legal team argues that the same issue was already decided in his favour by the Federal High Court in Yenagoa in 2022 and upheld by the Court of Appeal. Justice Peter Lifu is presiding over the matter, which has seen several adjournments.Despite the legal cloud, the PDP is moving ahead.
The party’s Interim National Working Committee, led by acting National Chairman Tanimu Turaki (SAN), announced on Sunday that screening will hold nationwide on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 10 a.m. in designated locations across the states.
A statement on the party’s official Facebook page confirmed that one presidential aspirant – Jonathan – will be screened. Sources told Spear News that no other aspirant purchased the nomination forms or expressed interest before the deadline.
The screening committee includes heavyweight party figures. Apart from Sambo as chairman, members are former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, former Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Ikimi, former Ondo State Deputy Governor Chief Olabode George, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, Hajiya Maryam Ciroma, Zainab Maina, Josephine Anenih, Dr. Abdul Bulama, Dr. Esther Uduehi, Edo State PDP Chairman Tony Aziegbemi, Dr. Sunday Solarin, and Chief Anicho Okoro, who will serve as Administrative Secretary.
Last week, the faction’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that Jonathan had successfully completed the party’s fresh digital registration exercise as directed by INEC.
But the presidential screening is just the tip of the iceberg. The PDP also announced it will screen 112 governorship aspirants, 198 senatorial aspirants, 748 House of Representatives aspirants, and a staggering 2,122 state houses of assembly aspirants. That is over 3,000 candidates in total, a clear sign that the party is rebuilding its structures nationwide ahead of 2027.
Meanwhile, away from the national spotlight, political calculations are already heating up in Imo State.A former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has declared his intention to capture the Owerri senatorial zone for the PDP in 2027.
Speaking to journalists in Owerri, Madumere, who served as deputy to former Governor Rochas Okorocha, said heu has the political capacity, contacts, and grassroots reach to secure victory.
“My name is not a strange name in Imo State,” Madumere said. “You cannot mention Prince Eze Madumere and ask, ‘Who is that?’ The people know me. They know my track records.
They know what I stand for, which represents equity and justice.”He vowed to leverage his political experience to drive socio-economic development in the zone, focusing on youth empowerment and job creation.
“By the grace of God, with the support of our party faithful, stakeholders, and the good people of Owerri Zone, victory is assured,” he added.
For now, all eyes are on Abuja, where Jonathan will appear before the screening committee on Tuesday. Whether he will ultimately appear on the ballot in 2027 depends on two things: the PDP’s internal processes and a final decision from Justice Peter Lifu’s court.
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