Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has distanced former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from campaign posters circulating on social media ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing them as fake and the handiwork of “mischief makers.”
In a statement issued by the party’s Interim National Working Committee, the PDP said posters bearing Jonathan’s image — either standing alone or alongside other notable Nigerians as possible running mates — were being widely circulated online with logos of different political parties falsely attached to them.
The statement, signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, stressed that the former president remains a registered member of the PDP.
“We state categorically that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party under the capable leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN,” the statement read.
According to the PDP, Jonathan personally participated in the party’s recently concluded digital membership registration exercise at his ward and confirmed the same during a meeting with members of the Interim National Working Committee.
“He duly registered personally in his ward during the recently concluded digital membership registration exercise — a fact he personally confirmed to members of the Interim National Working Committee during a meeting with him yesterday,” the statement added.
The opposition party said it became necessary to issue the clarification because the Electoral Act prohibits double party registration and prescribes sanctions for offenders.
“This clarification has become necessary in view of the provisions of the extant Electoral Act, under which double registration is not only prohibited but also punishable,” the PDP stated.
The party further alleged that political actors could attempt to manipulate party databases by fraudulently inserting the names and details of Jonathan and other prominent politicians into the membership records of rival parties.
“We are aware that mischief makers may not only design and circulate fake campaign posters, but may also, in concert with highly placed collaborators, attempt to input the details of President Jonathan and other prominent members of our party and the opposition movement into the databases of different political parties,” the statement said.
The PDP subsequently called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard any such alleged fraudulent activity.
“We therefore put the public, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission, on notice of this malfeasance and urge them to discountenance any such fraudulent activity,” the statement concluded.
