By Our Correspondent

National News – The Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party has denied reports claiming that presidential aspirants were prevented from purchasing nomination forms ahead of the party’s 2027 presidential primary.

The faction described the allegation as false and insisted that every qualified aspirant still has access to the forms before the deadline expires.

Speaking through its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, the faction stated on Thursday that no official of the party had stopped any interested contender from obtaining or submitting nomination forms.

According to him, the party only adjusted its timetable after receiving appeals from members who requested more time to complete the process.

Ememobong explained that the revised schedule fixed Friday, May 22, 2026, as the final date for the purchase and submission of completed forms, while Saturday, May 23, 2026, was approved for a special screening exercise for aspirants who had not yet been screened.

He stressed that the process remains open and transparent for all interested politicians.

The faction also addressed concerns over the zoning of the presidential ticket to the South.

While acknowledging the zoning arrangement, it maintained that no Nigerian could legally be barred from contesting for elective office under the constitution.

The statement urged the public to ignore rumours suggesting that some aspirants were deliberately excluded from the race.

The clarification follows recent announcements by the Turaki-led PDP faction regarding former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The group had earlier disclosed plans to screen Jonathan as its sole presidential aspirant before later waiving the screening requirement due to his status as a former Nigerian leader.

Former Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu defended the decision, saying Jonathan’s political experience and previous leadership position made further screening unnecessary.