Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is poised to contest the 2027 presidential election, a close political ally within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed. This development, if finalised, could significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the next general election.
The PDP stalwart, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that advanced consultations are ongoing to position the Bayelsa-born former leader as the party’s presidential flagbearer. The move, he said, is being championed by key political elders and stakeholders across Nigeria who view Jonathan’s return as a necessary step to address Nigeria’s worsening economic and social conditions.
“Dr. Jonathan has accepted in principle,” the source said. “He is concerned about the level of poverty, insecurity, and hopelessness across the country, and believes he still has something to offer. This campaign is being driven by national leaders who believe in his ability to stabilise the country and restore economic sanity.”
According to the source, Jonathan has held private meetings with influential figures in the north, including former military president General Ibrahim Babangida, whom he reportedly met in Minna last weekend. He has also begun consultations in the South-South region, seeking the support of political allies and stakeholders.
PDP Moves to Draft Jonathan
Within the PDP, moves to draft Jonathan are intensifying. Top party officials, including governors and members of the National Working Committee, have reportedly reached out to him both locally and abroad, including a recent visit to The Gambia, where Jonathan has been active in international mediation roles.
Speaking to journalists, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the party’s interest in the former president, citing a groundswell of public sentiment in his favour.
“Many Nigerians have come to realise the mistake they made in 2015,” Abdullahi said. “There is now a strong call for Jonathan’s return, and as a listening party, the PDP is acting on that mandate.”
According to Abdullahi, Jonathan is currently reviewing the conditions under which he would re-enter the political fray, including whether he would participate in party primaries or be granted the party’s ticket unopposed.
Eligibility Debate Resurfaces
Jonathan’s potential return has reignited debate over his eligibility to contest again, following a 2018 constitutional amendment that bars individuals sworn in twice as president from running for office.
Legal opinions are divided. Proponents argue that the amendment, which came into effect after Jonathan left office, cannot be applied retroactively. This view was upheld in a 2022 Federal High Court judgment in Yenagoa, which ruled that Jonathan remains eligible since his first swearing-in in 2010 followed the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua and not through election.
Senior lawyers, including Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) and Elekwachi Nnabuihe, maintain that Jonathan is not disqualified under the current constitutional framework. However, human rights lawyer Johnmary Jideobi warned that any attempt by Jonathan to serve another four years could exceed the constitutional eight-year limit, potentially triggering legal challenges.
A One-Term Strategy for Power Rotation
The push to return Jonathan is also being viewed through the lens of political strategy. Some stakeholders see his potential one-term presidency as a means to facilitate power rotation to the north in 2031 without internal resistance, since Jonathan constitutionally cannot seek a second term if re-elected.
“This is part of the logic,” a PDP source said. “Jonathan’s return could calm tensions over zoning and prepare the ground for a northern presidency thereafter.”
Party Leaders Back Move
In a separate interview, PDP National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro described Jonathan as the “natural leader” of the party and a “unifying figure” for the opposition.
“He is the easiest to sell to Nigerians right now. People remember his record on economic stability, and if he returns, it will change the entire political game,” Woyengikuro said. He also suggested that Jonathan should be given an automatic ticket, citing the urgency to “salvage both the party and the nation.”
Woyengikuro also named Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a potential running mate or future presidential candidate, describing him as a “dynamic leader capable of bridging generations.”
Conclusion
As consultations continue, Jonathan’s final decision is expected to shape alliances and party calculations in the lead-up to 2027. While his candidacy could unify a fractured PDP and re-energise its base, it also promises to test Nigeria’s legal and constitutional frameworks once again.
For now, all eyes remain on Otuoke and the corridors of power within the PDP, as the former president weighs his next political move.
