Former President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to face the screening committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Tuesday as the sole presidential aspirant under the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development comes amid growing political activities within the opposition party as different blocs continue moves to reposition the PDP before the next presidential election.

Reports indicated that the screening panel for Jonathan would include former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Plateau State governor Jonah Jang, and former Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Ikimi, alongside other senior party figures.

Jonathan’s planned screening followed confirmation last week by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, that the former president had successfully completed his membership registration through the party’s fresh digital registration exercise introduced in line with directives from the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The PDP faction aligned with Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, also announced an extensive screening exercise for aspirants seeking various elective positions across the country.

According to the party, 748 aspirants contesting for seats in the House of Representatives would be screened, while 198 senatorial aspirants and 112 governorship aspirants are also expected to appear before different screening committees.

The party further disclosed that 2,122 aspirants for state Houses of Assembly positions would undergo screening in their respective states beginning from Tuesday.

In a statement published on the party’s official Facebook page on Sunday, the PDP confirmed that “one presidential aspirant” would also participate in the nationwide screening exercise scheduled to begin at 10:00 am on May 19, 2026.

Kabiru Umar, also known as Kabiru Sokoto, who was convicted over the 2011 Christmas Day bombing linked to Boko Haram, has earned a Biology degree while serving his prison sentence, his lawyers said in one of the documents shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

In a press statement announcing Mr Sokoto’s appeal against his 2013 conviction, his legal team said he remained committed to “personal growth and rehabilitation” during incarceration, noting that he successfully obtained a Biology degree from the National Open University of Nigeria.

The statement, dated 14 May and signed by Lagos-based law firm Don Akaegbu & Company, described the achievement as evidence of Mr Sokoto’s “continued effort toward self-improvement despite the circumstances.”

Kabiru Sokoto was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 20 December 2013.

However, his lawyers argued that the charges against him did not specifically accuse him of carrying out or masterminding the bombing of St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State, which killed about 35 worshippers and injured several others on Christmas Day in 2011.

According to the lawyers, the relevant charge alleged that Mr Sokoto had prior information about the attack and failed to disclose it to security agencies. They said the distinction between direct participation and alleged prior knowledge forms a key issue in the appeal now before the Court of Appeal.

The appeal, filed after what the lawyers described as delays caused by circumstances beyond Mr Sokoto’s control, challenges the admissibility and credibility of the evidence used to secure his conviction. Among these challenges, they said, include deaths of his two previous lawyers, repeated custodial transfers and his family’s severe “financial constraints.”

The legal team also questioned whether the trial court properly evaluated the defence presented during the proceedings.

The lawyers urged the public to allow the judicial process to run its course, insisting that criminal responsibility should be determined strictly on the basis of evidence presented in court rather than public perception.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram convict Kabiru Sokoto appeals 2013 life sentence for Catholic church bombing near Abuja

Kabiru Sokoto was initially arrested on 14 January 2012 at the Borno State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, alongside a serving military officer. He was then taken to Abaji (also in Abuja) by police officers investigating the case to search a house believed to be owned by him.

He escaped from police custody, leading to the suspension and house arrest of Zakari Biu, then-head of the Zone 7 Police Command in Abuja, overseeing Boko Haram investigations at the Criminal Investigation Department. Before the incident, Mr Biu supervised the team that lost Mr Sokoto and was detained at an undisclosed location, alongside other junior police officers involved in the case.

The escape also prompted then-President Goodluck Jonathan to issue a 24-hour ultimatum to the then-Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafiz Ringim, to produce the Boko Haram suspect. Mr Ringim failed to do so and was later retired.

The State Security Services (SSS) said Kabiru Sokoto was re-arrested in February 2012, following what it described as a gunfight between its operatives and members of his gang in Taraba Satet.

He was subsequently sentenced by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 20 December 2013. The suspected terror kingpin was sentenced on two terrorism charges, including one punishable with life imprisonment under Section 15(2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Act 2004. The second charge attracted 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 7(1) under Terrorism Act, 2011.