Bala Mohammed Clears Path for Jonathan, Withdraws Presidential Ambition

…Party Spokesman Dismisses Talk of Obi’s Return
…Denies Zoning Ticket to Glorify Wike

By Jeremy Fregene

Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s political stock for 2027 surged yesterday after Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, dramatically withdrew from the presidential race — a move seen as reinforcing his long-standing support for Jonathan’s return.

Mohammed, regarded as one of the North’s strongest aspirants, told journalists after Tuesday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Ibadan that he had willingly dropped his ambition to give space for party unity and national cohesion. “I’m very satisfied with the resolution because I’m part of it — from the arrangement, strategy, and delivery. Politics is not about personal interest; it’s about sacrifice, respect, and national development,” he said.

Party insiders noted that Mohammed, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under Jonathan, has consistently been one of the former president’s most committed backers. His exit, they said, clears a major hurdle should Jonathan or another southern aspirant enter the field.

Meanwhile, the PDP yesterday moved to end speculation about Jonathan’s status in the party. Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, insisted that the former president remains firmly in the fold. “President Jonathan is still a member of this party because he has not resigned,” he declared on Arise Television’s Morning Show, while refusing to be drawn into speculation about a possible bid.

Ologunagba also dismissed reports of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi returning to the PDP, saying: “Mr Peter Obi was a presidential candidate in the last election for another political party. He has not indicated interest in joining the party. So for me, it will be improper to begin to comment on that.”

He further rejected claims that the decision to rotate the presidential ticket to the South was designed to glorify Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. “No one individual is vindicated. If anything, it is the party that has been vindicated. After the 2023 elections, we reviewed our processes, identified gaps, and made necessary adjustments. That is why Nigerians are now seeing renewed unity and excitement within the PDP,” he explained.

Responding to former Benue Governor Gabriel Suswam’s assertion that the PDP was in “intensive care,” Ologunagba was emphatic: “The party was never in the ICU. Do we have challenges? Yes. But what has emerged is the fact that the PDP has the capacity, in challenging periods, to step back, reorganise itself, and take charge of its internal affairs.”

On the issue of discipline, particularly regarding Wike’s perceived rebellion, Ologunagba said the PDP prefers democratic processes over authoritarian measures. “We’re following through and solving our problems methodically in a democratic way. This is not a command structure,” he said.

The spokesman also confirmed that the party’s elective national convention will take place in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, stressing: “This party is based on organisation and processes, and we have strived very strenuously to follow those processes.”

With Bala Mohammed’s withdrawal and the reaffirmation of Jonathan’s place in the PDP, analysts say the former president’s profile has gained fresh momentum, making him a central figure to watch in the countdown to 2027.