Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed major developments on Saturday as former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde emerged as presidential candidates of different political groups ahead of the 2027 general election.
Jonathan was endorsed as the presidential candidate of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party during a special national convention held in Abuja. The gathering took place amid a leadership dispute within the PDP and despite security restrictions around the venue.
The faction, led by former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), proceeded with the convention after relocating its activities from the A-Class Event Centre in Abuja, where security personnel had restricted access.
Reports indicated that suspected hoodlums later stormed the venue and attacked some participants, forcing party members, journalists and other attendees to flee. Security operatives eventually restored calm.
Despite the disruption, the convention concluded with the issuance of a Certificate of Return to Jonathan in absentia. Former House of Representatives member Fred Agbedi received the certificate on behalf of the ex-president.
Speaking during the event, Turaki accused unnamed political actors of attempting to undermine democratic processes.
“No matter how highly opinionated they may be about themselves, or no matter how they think they can use their positions to thwart democracy, we want to tell them that Nigeria is bigger than anybody and any group of persons.
“We will not fight. The time of fighting will come when we meet at the polls. We will meet you there; we’ll fight you there, we’ll defeat you there, and then we will pin you down on the ground,” Turaki said.
The former minister also defended the legitimacy of the faction’s actions.
“What we are doing today is in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division,” he said.
PDP founding member and elder statesman, Prof. Jerry Gana, also criticised the security presence at the venue and raised concerns about the state of democracy in the country.
“It is with great pain that I see this situation, that so many years after democracy, we are still being reduced to this.
“We insisted that we must have an Independent National Electoral Commission. Unfortunately, after so many years of development, is INEC now independent?”
Gana added: “We are supposed to be having a special convention in a very well-organised place. Now the police have taken over the whole place. Are we back to military rule?
“This is a disgrace. Let the whole world know that Nigerian democracy is challenged because people cannot meet freely.”
However, the PDP faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, distanced itself from the convention and maintained that former Cross River senator Sandy Onor remained its recognised presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi formally accepted his nomination as the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Coalition (NDC) and unveiled an agenda focused on economic recovery, security reforms, healthcare and electricity supply.
“It is with deep humility that I accept the role of presidential candidate of our party. I express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our party, His Excellency Seriake Dickson, the National Chairman, National Secretary, members of the National Working Committee, our relentless supporters and the Nigerian people who have steadfastly kept the spirit of hope alive,” Obi said.
The former governor described Nigeria as being at a critical stage due to insecurity, economic challenges and declining public confidence.
“Businesses are struggling, communities are suffering, and an alarming number of citizens have lost faith in the very concept of governance.
“Yet, I stand before you filled with optimism and strong faith in the resilience of our people, for I firmly believe that a new Nigeria is possible,” he stated.
On security, Obi said: “In terms of security, the situation in Nigeria has considerably worsened. The global terrorism impact assessments ranked Nigeria as the eighth most affected nation in 2022, sixth in 2024, and fourth in 2026.”
He added: “We must address insecurity with resolve and urgency, for no nation can thrive while its citizens live in trepidation. The primary responsibility of government is to ensure the protection of lives and property.”
The NDC candidate also pledged to improve healthcare and electricity supply.
“Nigeria suffers from one of the highest infant mortality rates in the world. Furthermore, health insurance coverage in Nigeria hovers at a mere 10 per cent.
“This situation is regrettable. I pledge that within four years, our health insurance coverage will more than double to over 20 per cent,” he said.
On electricity, Obi noted: “Nigeria today is the nation with the highest number of citizens lacking access to electricity globally. We currently generate and distribute a mere 4,000 megawatts of electricity for a population exceeding 200 million.”
He promised to increase power generation and distribution by at least 10,000 megawatts within four years if elected.
In a separate development, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde secured the presidential ticket of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) and unveiled what he called the “Reset Nigeria Agenda.”
Accepting the nomination, Makinde said: “I stand before you today with deep humility and a profound sense of responsibility as I accept the nomination to serve as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I believe the answer is simple… Nigeria must reset. We cannot continue recycling the same leadership approaches while expecting different results. A new direction must emerge; one built on competence, courage, accountability and compassion for the people.”
Makinde pledged reforms in the petroleum sector and promised to protect citizens from arbitrary fuel pricing.
“Nigerians must benefit from being an oil-producing country just like other oil-producing countries in the world.
“We will pursue fair, transparent and right pricing templates for petroleum products that reflect the realities of the cost of production. Nigerians must be protected from arbitrary pricing,” he stated.
The governor also called for reforms at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and the restructuring of state-owned refineries.
“I dare dream that the NNPC will be reformed and become lean, efficient and commercially driven through proper joint venture incorporation and institutional reforms.
“I dare dream that we will reset Nigeria and take the difficult but necessary decision to restructure the ownership of our refineries so Nigeria can finally stop bleeding resources into systems that no longer serve the people effectively,” he said.
On security, Makinde argued for greater decentralisation of the country’s security architecture.
“As Governor of Oyo State, I carry the painful burden of being called Chief Security Officer, yet lacking constitutional control over the security agencies needed to fully confront these threats,” he said.
He added: “As President of Nigeria, I will work to reform our national security architecture so that states are no longer left helpless in moments of crisis. The decentralisation that we need for more effective security will be prioritised.”
Makinde also promised policies aimed at improving agriculture, transportation and economic planning.
“We will start with collating accurate data on our capacity in the agriculture sector so that we can address the gaps in production, processing, agrologistics and storage.
“I do not stand here promising miracles. I stand here promising leadership that listens, leadership that acts, and leadership that understands that governance must improve the lives of ordinary people,” he said.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, represented by Deputy Governor Mohammed Jatau, endorsed Makinde’s candidacy and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“We are here on behalf of the government and people of Bauchi State to support, endorse and celebrate the emergence of our dear distinguished brother, Oluwaseyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of the Allied People’s Movement.
“Makinde possesses the qualities required to lead Nigeria towards progress and national renewal. We firmly believe that he is the leader Nigeria needs at this critical moment in our nation’s history. We are confident that he possesses the vision, competence, experience and commitment required to move Nigeria forward and deliver the leadership our people deserve.
“I wish to assure our brothers and sisters gathered here today that Bauchi State, the North-East region, and indeed many patriotic Nigerians across the northern part of the country stand firmly behind the APM movement.”
Jatau further stated: “The people of Oyo and the people of Bauchi share a strong bond of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect. Our destinies are interconnected, and our aspirations for a better Nigeria are the same.”
APM National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle described Makinde’s emergence as the start of a broader political movement.
“The event marks the birth of the Reset Nigeria Movement,” Dantalle said.
He added: “We are confident that his leadership will move Nigeria forward.”
