…Party confirms talks with ex-president as Northern power blocs, party stalwarts rally for comeback bid
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is witnessing renewed momentum as high-level talks to persuade former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to return as its presidential candidate for the 2027 elections intensify.
A recent post on Jonathan’s official social media handle reignited speculation when he responded to a supporter urging him to contest in 2027, saying, “If I am contesting for the presidency, I do not need to make promises; you are well aware of what I am capable of.” That simple statement has since fuelled a groundswell of support within PDP ranks, with prominent figures now openly calling for his comeback.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, a former presidential hopeful himself, was among the first to publicly throw his weight behind Jonathan. “I will support him with my blood… he will do a better job because he has the experience,” Mohammed declared at an event in Abuja, signalling a potential rallying point for party heavyweights.
Speaking to Daily Trust, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, confirmed that discussions to draft Jonathan back into the race are underway. “Even those who criticised him while in power are now admitting they were wrong. They’re asking for his forgiveness and urging him to return because they now recognise his values,” Abdullahi said. He noted that Jonathan’s peaceful concession of defeat in 2015 remains a defining moment of statesmanship Nigerians now look back on with nostalgia.
Similarly, Umar Sani, former Senior Special Adviser on Media to ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, described Jonathan as the “most viable option for Nigeria at this critical juncture.” In an interview, Sani emphasised Jonathan’s humility, democratic credentials, and capacity to unify a deeply fragmented nation. “His return will rekindle hope and restore confidence in governance,” Sani added.
Sources within the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) also told The Guardian that discreet overtures are ongoing to convince Jonathan, with Northern stakeholders viewing his single-term eligibility as a strategic advantage in power rotation negotiations. Discussions have reportedly been held during Jonathan’s international engagements, including a recent meeting in The Gambia, where top PDP figures sought to persuade him further.
But PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said that he’s not aware of any such overtures, telling BBC News Pidgin however that Jonathan remains a bonafide party member. “To the best of my knowledge, Goodluck Jonathan has not indicated through any resignation letter that he is no longer a member of the PDP,” Ologunagba said, and maintained that candidacy decisions will follow due process.
The political dynamics surrounding Jonathan’s potential return are complex. With former PDP flagbearer Atiku Abubakar reportedly aligning with the ADC-led opposition coalition, PDP insiders see Jonathan as a unifying figure who could stabilize the party and appeal across Nigeria’s diverse political landscape. Discussions within the PDP and ADC coalition reportedly revolve around the strategic advantage of a one-term Southern presidency, with Jonathan’s constitutional limitation being viewed as a more reliable option than pledges made by other contenders like Peter Obi or Rotimi Amaechi.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the Jonathan comeback bid as premature and desperate. APC Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim described the notion of Jonathan reclaiming power as “a doomed calculation,” asserting that defeating him, if he contests, would be “a walkover.”
Yet, political analysts argue otherwise. Speaking to Daily Trust, Dr Sam Amadi of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought noted that while Jonathan might be reluctant, his candidacy is a “bankable option” for Northern power blocs seeking a guaranteed return to the presidency in 2031. “Jonathan was a better president to the North than Buhari,” Amadi said, though he cautioned that internal divisions within the opposition could complicate his chances.
Adding to the intrigue, Jonathan reportedly recently met with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, at his Minna residence, a visit widely interpreted as part of the ongoing consultations. An aide to Babangida told the same Daily Trust that IBB directly asked Jonathan if he would contest, to which Jonathan replied he had not yet made up his mind.
Meanwhile, former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is also being courted as part of a potential unity ticket, with sources suggesting a Jonathan-Kwankwaso pairing is under serious consideration. The APC is reportedly attempting to lure Kwankwaso as well, with President Tinubu’s recent political concessions, like the removal of Abdullahi Ganduje as APC national chairman, aimed at winning him over.
A former senior aide to Jonathan confided in this newspaper that the ex-president is open to the idea but is approaching the overtures with caution. “He doesn’t want to be dragged into the race only to be abandoned midway. He’s a statesman with international standing and wants firm assurances,” the aide said. He also pointed out that unlike the APC-backed push in 2023, the current movement is being driven from within the PDP, changing the dynamics entirely.
For political analyst Professor Abubakar Umar Kari, Jonathan’s potential return would be a game-changer. Speaking to BBC Hausa, Kari noted that his entry could revive a PDP many now consider comatose and significantly reshape the 2027 contest. “If he accepts to run, it could deal a serious blow to the ADC coalition and directly challenge both the APC and opposition forces,” he observed.
As permutations gather pace, the prospect of a Jonathan comeback is rapidly transforming from mere speculation into a potent political movement that could redefine Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race.