2027 Presidency: PDP woos Jonathan

2027 Presidency: PDP woos Jonathan

By Fly Cable News

The Peoples Democratic Party asked former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.

In an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, emphasized that it would be a regrettable development if Jonathan chose another party for his presidential bid.

He revealed that the PDP had been eagerly awaiting the former president’s return for a second term, stressing the party’s continued connection to Jonathan’s political rise.

Abdullahi highlighted the party’s historical role in shaping Nigeria’s leadership, citing several notable figures who had emerged from the party.

“We’ve said this about Jonathan and our governors. Even the FCT minister is arguably the best performer in his role, and he is a product of PDP. El-Rufai, Okonjo-Iweala, Dora Akunyili, Obi Ezekwesili, Akinwunmi Adesina, Amina Mohammed… these are the pride of this country, and they are all products of the PDP,” he added.

The PDP chieftain urged Jonathan to heed the call to finish what he started within the party, and warned against the “hypocrisy of the All Progressives Congress.”

“If Goodluck Jonathan is seriously considering running, we have been calling him to come back and complete his term. It will not be out of place, but if he runs with another political party, it will expose the hypocrisy within the APC,” he added.

Abdullahi also advised the former president to remain cautious of the recent praise from individuals and groups who previously criticized him.

“It’s crucial for him to remember how he was derided, 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 sudden affection. That would be unfortunate,” Abdullahi stated.

The PUNCH had reported that the recent sighting of Jonathan’s presidential posters for the 2027 elections across major streets in Kano sparked speculations about his possible return to the political arena and intensified conversations about other prominent figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

The posters, which were seen at strategic locations such as Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road, featured messages like, ‘Team New Nigeria 2027; The Goodluck Nigeria Needs—Dr Goodluck Jonathan.’

The recent campaign posters our correspondents gathered were masterminded by a political movement known as ‘Team New Nigeria’, which has been promoting its activities across Nigeria.

The emergence of the posters is similar to a development before the 2023 elections when supporters purchased nomination forms for Jonathan under the APC, but the former president distanced himself from the move.

Another permutation that raised discussions about Jonathan’s possible interest in the 2027 presidential election was the report that key political figures from northern Nigeria had begun efforts to draft Jonathan into the race.

It was reported that the move is based on the belief that Jonathan is eligible to serve another four-year term, having already served as president from 2011 to 2015.

Meanwhile, sources within the PDP have predicted that the future of the party would be determined at its upcoming National Executive Committee meeting, scheduled for February 2025.