A special convention will take place Saturday to formally ratify former President Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP's 2027 presidential candidate.
The party announced the event on Thursday through its Interim National Management Committee officials. Ini Ememobong and Theophilus Dakas Shan signed the statement confirming Jonathan's adoption as the sole focus of the gathering.
This comes after a Federal High Court ruling on Tuesday cleared Jonathan to run. Justice Peter Lifu dismissed a lawsuit seeking to bar him from contesting based on his previous two presidential terms.
A lawyer named Johnmary Jideobi had filed the suit, arguing Jonathan couldn't run again. The court rejected that argument entirely.
Jonathan will now face President Bola Tinubu of the ruling APC in 2027. He'll also contend with Atiku Abubakar, who just won the African Democratic Congress ticket.
Political analysts expect Peter Obi might emerge as the National Democratic Congress candidate under Seriake Dickson's leadership. That would mirror the 2023 contest between these three opposition figures.
Tinubu already secured his party's nomination for a second term. He won overwhelmingly at the APC primary with 10.9 million votes.
Jonathan's entry into the race has disrupted opposition politics significantly. Many groups within opposing parties face serious internal conflicts and leadership struggles.
Fred Agbedi, representing Jonathan's campaign organization, hailed the court's decision. According to him, the judgment removed a major legal hurdle facing the former president.
"The coast is clear for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest," Agbedi told reporters. "There's no legal barrier preventing him from running anymore."
He called the ruling a turning point for Nigerians seeking change. Agbedi urged citizens to support what he termed Jonathan's "rescue mission" for the nation.
"Our country mustn't drift like a rudderless ship," Agbedi stated passionately. "We must rescue Nigeria from its current challenges collectively."
Senior Advocate Chris Uche represented Jonathan during the legal proceedings. He argued the case shouldn't have been filed in the first place.
According to Uche, appellate courts had already settled identical legal questions. He characterized the lawsuit as "an abuse of court process."
Another Federal High Court had previously determined the same issue. That earlier ruling was upheld on appeal, Uche noted.
Jonathan's candidacy marks a significant shift in Nigeria's opposition landscape. His return to active politics after years away has surprised many observers.
The Turaki-led group organized Jonathan's entry into the presidential race. They maintain he remains the strongest option against the current administration.
However, INEC hasn't formally recognized the Turaki faction yet. Spokesman Okechukwu raised questions about the group's official status with the electoral commission.
Nonetheless, preparations for Saturday's convention continue without interruption. Party officials expect massive attendance from across the country's regions.
