Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has reportedly agreed to return as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 elections, aiming to challenge the incumbent, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to a close ally who spoke with Vanguard, Jonathan has accepted the offer in principle, motivated by the desire to tackle the deepening poverty and economic hardship affecting millions of Nigerians. The source said a coalition of influential political actors and elder statesmen who believe Jonathan’s past administration brought stability are behind the renewed push for his comeback.
“Jonathan is being urged to contest again to reposition the country. The idea is to allow him serve a single term to stabilise the system and create a smooth pathway for power to return to the North by 2031 without much resistance from the South,” the source disclosed.
High-level consultations have already begun. One notable meeting reportedly took place in Minna with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida. Although details of Babangida’s position remain undisclosed, insiders suggest that much of the northern political establishment has bought into the plan.
Jonathan is also said to be engaging political stakeholders in the South-South, including key figures in Port Harcourt, in a bid to solidify support from his home region.
Within the PDP, efforts are intensifying to reintegrate Jonathan into the party’s inner circle. Speaking to BBC Hausa Service, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, said that calls for Jonathan’s return are growing louder as many Nigerians now view his past administration more favourably.
“People now admit they made a mistake by not re-electing him. He’s being asked to return and rescue the country,” Abdullahi stated.
However, sources say Jonathan is setting specific conditions before making a final commitment. These include clear terms regarding the party’s presidential primary and assurances about his role if he accepts the nomination.
Additional reports indicate that senior PDP figures recently met with Jonathan in The Gambia, urging him to accept the party’s presidential ticket for 2027.
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