…Ask ex-president to disassociate himself from alleged use of his name in party dispute

By: Goodluck E.Adubazi, Abuja.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday in Abuja appealed to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to speak to Nigerians and publicly clarify his position over the alleged use of his name in the party’s ongoing internal leadership dispute.

The PDP State Chairmen’s Forum, led by its Chairman, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, and Secretary, Hon. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, made the appeal at a press briefing at the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

The chairmen urged Jonathan to address Nigerians and dissociate himself from what they described as the “continuous use” of his name by expelled members of the party in connection with the ongoing leadership controversy.

They recalled Jonathan’s widely quoted declaration that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian, saying his reputation for peace and statesmanship placed a moral responsibility on him to clarify his position.

The forum alleged that some expelled members of the PDP had been using Jonathan’s name to advance what it described as activities capable of further deepening the party’s crisis.

“We call on you, in view of the global image and moral authority you command, to address Nigerians directly and disassociate yourself from the continuous use of your name in this spectacle,” the State chairmen said.

They also alleged that Jonathan’s name had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through what they described as an unauthorised manual process, contrary to the party’s position on the appropriate electronic upload of candidates’ particulars.

The state chairmen further rejected the emergence of what they described as a purported faction of the PDP led by expelled members.

According to them, there is only one recognised PDP, which they said is led by the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu as National Secretary.

The forum accused individuals associated with the rival camp of presenting themselves as a faction of the PDP despite what it said were pronouncements by competent courts.

The chairmen called on security and law enforcement agencies to investigate allegations of forgery and distortion of court judgments, stressing that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the rule of law or public order.

They maintained that no individual or group should substitute court judgments with political statements or media pronouncements.

The PDP chairmen also appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to investigate alleged activities taking place at a two-storey office building in the Area 10, Garki axis of Abuja.

The forum alleged that the facility was being used to coordinate activities capable of threatening public peace and security in the nation’s capital.

It therefore urged the FCT Minister, as the chief security officer of the territory, to order an immediate security review and take appropriate administrative action if necessary.

The forum also called on the PDP National Working Committee to institute what it described as decisive legal measures against the expelled members.

It urged the NWC to consider contempt proceedings and other appropriate legal actions over alleged impersonation, forgery and disobedience of court orders.

The chairmen said the PDP must take steps to protect its name, logo, structure and institutional identity.

On the legal controversy, the forum accused some individuals, including Tanimu Turaki, SAN, Barrister Ini Ememobong and Hon. Tony Aziegbemen, of allegedly misrepresenting the outcome of court proceedings.

It also criticised the involvement of some PDP elders, including Prof. Jerry Gana, former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu and Chief Bode George, in the dispute.

A correspondent of the Standard Times Nigeria Newspaper who covered the press briefing can confirm that the PDP state chairmen said they would make certified true copies of relevant court judgments available to the media in the coming days to enable Nigerians to independently assess the legal position.

Meanwhile, the 36 state and FCT chairmen expressed confidence in the leadership of the PDP NWC, commending what they described as its transparent and inclusive approach.

They said the party had successfully conducted the sale of expression-of-interest and nomination forms, held primaries and uploaded the particulars of its candidates to the INEC portal.

They specifically expressed support for the emergence of Prof. Senator Sandy Onor as the party’s presidential candidate, alongside other candidates produced through the party’s processes.
‘PDP bigger than individuals’

The chairmen declared that the PDP was bigger than any individual or group, describing the party as an institution built on sacrifice, law and the will of the people.

“We, the 36 States and FCT Chairmen, will not allow a few expelled persons to trample or hijack that legacy,” they said.

They consequently urged PDP members to remain calm and resolute despite the ongoing disagreements, insisting that the party had “come back alive” to serve Nigerians.

The statement was signed by Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Chairman, PDP Chairmen’s Forum, and Hon. Babandi Ibrahim Gumel, Secretary of the forum, in Abuja on August 3, 2026.