Politics

2027: PDP reportedly wooing Jonathan for presidential comeback

Published

6 months ago

August 4, 2025

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

2027: PDP reportedly wooing Jonathan for presidential comeback

Amid rising uncertainty surrounding Peter Obi’s political future, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly making strategic moves to bring back former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Multiple party insiders have confirmed that high-level consultations are currently underway within the PDP to convince Jonathan to accept the party’s presidential ticket—potentially on an automatic basis.

According to sources, party stakeholders believe Jonathan’s constitutional limitation to just one more term could serve as a unifying solution for Nigeria’s politically diverse regions, particularly at a time when internal divisions and shifting loyalties are threatening the cohesion of the opposition.

“Serious efforts are being made to pull Jonathan into the race,” a PDP Board of Trustees member revealed under anonymity. “Our northern colleagues strongly believe it’s time for him to complete his second term.”

While the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, is still being floated as a viable candidate especially given his popularity among Nigerian youths and southern voters — insiders say many PDP leaders view his return as risky and uncertain, especially amid the internal challenges facing the Labour Party.

Peter Obi has consistently vowed to serve only one term if elected, a promise he reiterated recently in response to critics, including Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.

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However, some within the PDP remain skeptical of Obi’s assurances, arguing that only a candidate constitutionally bound to a single term, like Jonathan, can guarantee stability within the party and the country.

“It’s not that Obi has been ruled out,” the PDP BoT source added, “but the dynamics in the Labour Party and the broader coalition make it dangerous to put all our eggs in one basket.”

The calculations, according to insiders, revolve around zoning, trust, and electoral strategy, with some Northern stakeholders reportedly preferring a Southern candidate they can rally behind, knowing they would only serve four years.

Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, added fuel to the debate during an appearance on Arise Television, saying that while Obi is a good candidate, the PDP has “even better candidates” within its ranks.

Gana argued that Obi’s return to the PDP could boost his chances of winning, especially with the PDP’s extensive northern political infrastructure, but expressed reservations about depending solely on that scenario.

The speculation around Jonathan’s potential return gained momentum following his recent trip to The Gambia, where he was spotted in the company of PDP heavyweights, including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Senator Abdul Ningi.

While the visit was officially described as a diplomatic mission for regional peacebuilding and democratic governance, multiple sources suggest that part of the private discussions also touched on financing the PDP, internal reconciliation, and the 2027 presidential strategy.

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Notably, Governor Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, had in 2023 publicly stated that he would not contest for president if Jonathan decided to run.

“If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood,” Mohammed declared at the time. “He may be reluctant, but we must encourage him.”

Meanwhile, voices from Obi’s support base, particularly the Obidient Movement, have poured cold water on the idea of Obi returning to the PDP. Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, a prominent movement leader in the South East, warned that it would be “politically unwise” for Obi to align himself with what he called a fractured and embattled party.

“You can’t swim in a river filled with sharks and crocodiles,” Ezeh said, adding that PDP’s internal stability would only be clearer after its elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, this November.

As the PDP prepares for what could be a make-or-break electoral cycle in 2027, the choice between a returning Obi and a one-term Jonathan reflects deeper ideological and strategic debates within the party.

With the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) already gearing up to defend the Tinubu presidency, the PDP’s decision over the next year could determine whether the opposition remains fractured or presents a unified front capable of mounting a serious challenge.

2027: PDP reportedly wooing Jonathan for presidential comeback

(Guardian)

Related Topics:2027 Featured Jonathan PDP

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Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Published

3 hours ago

February 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Former APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman and ex-Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has opened up about life after leaving office, his ongoing projects, and the future of Kano State politics in an exclusive interview.

Ganduje described life after office as less stressful but still busy, noting that he remains actively involved in party politics both in Kano and Abuja. He explained that while the pressures of leadership are gone, politics and governance never truly end. “You can’t just stop, since politics and governance never really end,” he said.

The former governor revealed that he is spending much of his time writing books to keep his mind sharp and contribute to knowledge-based politics. Among his current projects are “Abuja: Evolutionary Development of a City in Nigeria’s Capital Territory,” “Progressive Leadership and Sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria,” and “Progressive Party Ideology and Philosophical Direction.” Ganduje stressed the importance of education, research, and ideology in sustaining democracy and shaping effective governance.

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Reflecting on his early life, Ganduje highlighted how knowledge, experience, and patience shaped his political journey. From attending primary school in a remote village to earning a PhD from the University of Ibadan, he emphasized that education and persistence were crucial in achieving his goals. His career spanned roles as local government secretary, commissioner, deputy governor, governor, and APC national chairman, providing him with extensive governance experience from the grassroots to the national level.

On Kano politics, Ganduje expressed pride that his predictions of a progressive return to APC in the state have been realized. He highlighted APC’s success in delivering the highest number of delegates and votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during primaries and defeating the PDP in the general election by over 500,000 votes.

Addressing the Kwankwasiyya Movement and former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ganduje dismissed claims that the movement could challenge APC dominance in Kano. “The Kwankwasiyya Movement will not have any impact. Even though you see large crowds, the APC can mobilize bigger numbers if we choose,” he said, stressing that public sentiment favors APC due to concerns over the use of state resources for national ambitions by opposition leaders.

Ganduje also left the door open for political reconciliation with Kwankwaso, provided they share a common vision for the state and country. “I am ready. Politics is about interests. There are no permanent enemies or friends… What matters is what we want to achieve,” he said.

On the national stage, Ganduje addressed fears that northern Nigeria may not support President Tinubu in 2027, dismissing the notion as wrong. He emphasized that most Northerners accept the rotation of the presidency and are supportive of Tinubu completing his term. “Politics will always have noise, but the reality on the ground is different,” he added.

Ganduje’s reflections highlight the intersection of political strategy, education, and leadership experience in shaping both personal legacy and the future trajectory of Kano State and Nigerian politics.

Ex-APC Chairman Ganduje Discusses Kano Politics, National Leadership Plans

Politics

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Published

18 hours ago

February 13, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has clarified that his son, Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, remains a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by personal conviction, even as he continues to critique the ruling party. Bello currently represents Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, where he serves his constituents independently of his father’s political stance.

El-Rufai made the disclosure during an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Thursday evening, shortly after reportedly resisting an attempted detainment by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport upon his return from Egypt. The former governor, now a leading figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), emphasised that Bello is mature enough to chart his own political path.

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“My son Bello was elected under the platform of the APC and his electorate seem to be happy with the work he is doing, so since he is an adult of over 30 years, he can make his own choices. Politics is about personal preference,” El-Rufai said, explaining that his son’s continued stay in APC does not contradict his own opposition to the party.

He added that if Bello chooses to remain within the APC without engaging in any of the party’s perceived wrongdoing, guided by the values and home training he received, “then Alhamdulillah.”

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, born in 1988, has represented Kaduna North since 2023 and currently chairs the House Committee on Banking Regulations. His work in the National Assembly has earned commendations from constituents, reinforcing his independent political credibility within the APC framework.

El-Rufai’s clarification comes amid ongoing political realignments in Nigeria, where personal choices sometimes diverge from family or party affiliations. The statement highlights the balance between individual political conviction and broader party loyalty, particularly in high-profile political families.

El-Rufai Says Son Bello Remains Loyal to APC Despite Criticism of Party

Politics

Atiku Denies Fayose’s Claims About 2027 Vice-Presidential Talks With Makinde

Published

1 day ago

February 13, 2026

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Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar

Atiku Denies Fayose’s Claims About 2027 Vice-Presidential Talks With Makinde

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly refuted claims by former Ekiti State governor Peter Ayodele Fayose alleging that Governor Seyi Makinde had agreed to run as his vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Fayose as a “serial political gossip” and dismissed the report as a “reckless and malicious fabrication” consisting of “beer parlour tales of infamy.”

Fayose had alleged that Makinde agreed to the vice-presidential slot and pledged ₦10 billion in contributions, a claim Atiku denied entirely. Shaibu said the account was not insider information but “insider fiction, manufactured to mislead, distract and provoke.”

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“There were no negotiations over vice-presidential tickets. There were no discussions about ₦10 billion contributions. There were no zoning manipulations. There were no delegate-delivery guarantees. And there is certainly no clandestine ‘Dubai meeting’ on any such agenda,” the statement read.

Atiku’s office emphasized that his political engagements are broad-based, principled, and national in scope, and not transactional or clandestine, as alleged. The statement further warned the public against giving credibility to reports from individuals who “attempt to manufacture relevance by inventing tales around serious national figures.”

The former vice president also clarified that during his recent visit to the residence of former Head of State Ibrahim Babangida, no discussions about vice-presidential arrangements took place.

Shaibu urged Nigerians to treat the publication with contempt, stressing that “falsehood may trend for a moment, but it collapses under the weight of truth.”

Atiku remains focused on principled engagement and building coalitions ahead of the 2027 elections, rejecting backroom political theatrics as “mischievously and irresponsibly portrayed.”