The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended an invitation to former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to run for the presidency in the 2027 general elections under its platform.
This call follows the recent appearance of Jonathan’s presidential posters across major streets in Kano, which has fueled speculation about his potential return to the political scene.
Political commentators have suggested that Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2011 to 2015, may be eligible for another term, given that he has not yet completed two full terms in office. His re-entry into the political arena, coupled with the visibility of his campaign posters, has ignited discussions about his possible candidacy in the upcoming presidential race.
In an interview with Punch, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed the party’s eagerness for Jonathan to return for a second term, pointing to his previous political success and widespread popularity. Abdullahi emphasized that Jonathan’s leadership had been beneficial to the party, and he urged the former president to “finish what he started” within the PDP. “We have been eagerly awaiting Jonathan’s return to complete the work he began. It would be unfortunate if he chose to join another party for his presidential bid,” Abdullahi remarked.
He further highlighted the PDP’s significant role in shaping Nigeria’s leadership landscape, citing several influential figures who have emerged from the party, such as former governors and key ministers. “The PDP has produced some of Nigeria’s finest leaders, including former ministers like Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Obi Ezekwesili, Akinwunmi Adesina, Amina Mohammed, as well as governors like El-Rufai. These individuals are among the pride of our country, and they are all products of the PDP,” Abdullahi said.
On Jonathan’s possible candidacy, Abdullahi pointed out the contradictions within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly how the same political figures who had once undermined Jonathan were now attempting to embrace him as a potential savior. “If Jonathan decides to run under another party, especially the APC, it will expose the hypocrisy within that party. He should remember how he was criticized and reduced to nothing by these same people. Now that they are suddenly calling him the ‘messiah’, he must not be swayed by their newfound affection—it would be unfortunate,” he warned.
While the call for Jonathan’s return to the PDP has gained momentum, sources within the party suggest that its future direction will be shaped at the forthcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, scheduled for February 2025. This meeting is expected to address key issues, including the leadership direction of the party and its strategy for the 2027 elections.
In an interview with Punch, Diran Odeyemi, the immediate past Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, explained that the delay in convening the NEC meeting had deeper implications for the party’s internal dynamics. He indicated that if the primary aim of the meeting was to remove the current acting chairman, Umar Damagum, the process could face significant opposition from Damagum’s supporters, as he remains a shrewd political strategist unwilling to relinquish his post. “Damagum is not ready to leave his position; he is a seasoned politician who will do everything in his power to prevent such a meeting from taking place,” Odeyemi stated.
Odeyemi further warned that rushing into the NEC meeting could exacerbate internal crises within the PDP. “If we cannot manage ourselves as a political party, how can we possibly manage the country?” he said, suggesting that the party needed to prioritize internal cohesion before making any drastic moves. His comments reflect the broader concern within the PDP about the potential destabilizing effects of premature decisions and the need for unity ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the PDP grapples with its internal dynamics and the potential return of Jonathan to the presidential race, the party is facing a crucial period of self-reflection and decision-making. The party’s leadership will likely play a pivotal role in determining whether Jonathan’s potential candidacy can be realized within the PDP framework, or whether it will lead to further divisions within the ranks. With the February 2025 NEC meeting on the horizon, the future direction of the PDP remains uncertain, but it is clear that much will depend on how the party handles its internal challenges and the strategic decisions made by its leadership in the coming months.
In the meantime, the speculation surrounding Jonathan’s presidential aspirations continues to fuel discussions about the 2027 elections, with the PDP keen to position itself as a formidable contender against the ruling APC. How the party navigates its internal conflicts and external alliances in the lead-up to the elections will undoubtedly shape the political landscape in Nigeria in the years ahead.
