The Tanimu Turaki- led Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has officially declared its presidential race for the 2027 general election open to all qualified aspirants, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and other candidates from southern Nigeria.

Gong-news reports that the decision was announced on Tuesday night during a high-profile meeting held at the Abuja residence of former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, which was attended by the PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki.

Speaking at the meeting, Turaki said although it is too early to predict who will eventually emerge as the party’s flag bearer, the PDP is committed to conducting a free, fair, and transparent primary process.

“So, if for whatever reason anybody wants to contest, we want to assure Nigerians that they will be the deciders of who becomes their candidate,” he said.

He stressed that the contest would be open to all PDP members of southern Nigerian origin, noting that the party is determined to provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

“It is open to every member of the PDP living in southern Nigeria or of southern Nigerian descent. The process is going to be open, transparent, fair, equitable, and it will create a level playing field for everybody,” Turaki added.

Explaining what he described as a “level playing field,” the PDP chairman reiterated that the presidential ticket would be open strictly to southern candidates, a move that effectively clears the way for former President Goodluck Jonathan and other prominent southern political figures to vie for the party’s nomination.

Meanwhile, Turaki also expressed satisfaction with the recent judgment of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, which dismissed a suit filed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a factional National Secretary of the PDP.

He described the court ruling as a major victory for the party and a reaffirmation of its internal discipline and adherence to due process.

Gong-news understands that less than 24 hours earlier, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had dismissed a suit instituted by Anyanwu, in which he sought official recognition as the PDP’s National Secretary.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, ruled against the factional secretary’s claims.

The ruling is widely seen as strengthening the position of the Turaki-led leadership ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections.