2027: Jonathan ready to run again – Insider
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has reportedly accepted to be the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearer for the 2027 presidential election to confront incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A close ally of Jonathan confirmed to Vanguard that the former leader has agreed in principle to re-enter the presidential race, with the goal of tackling widespread poverty and hardship that many Nigerians have endured in recent years.
According to the source, prominent political figures and elder statesmen convinced that Jonathan’s previous tenure brought stability to the country and the economy are behind the push to bring him back.
“Jonathan is being urged to contest again to reposition Nigeria. The idea is to give him one term to stabilise the system and possibly return power to the North by 2031 without much resistance from the South,” the ally revealed.
Behind-the-scenes meetings have already taken place, including a recent one with former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, in Minna. Although the details of Babangida’s response remain private, insiders believe the northern political establishment has been largely sold on the idea.
Jonathan is also said to be engaging leaders across the South-South region, including undisclosed stakeholders in Port Harcourt, to secure support from his home base.
The PDP is reportedly going all-in to bring Jonathan back into the party’s core fold. According to PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, calls for Jonathan’s return have grown louder as many Nigerians now reflect positively on his administration.
“People now admit they made a mistake by not re-electing him. He’s being asked to return and rescue the country,” Abdullahi told BBC Hausa Service. He also confirmed that Jonathan is laying down conditions, including clarity on the party’s primary process and his role if he accepts the offer.
Sources say PDP leaders have also met with Jonathan in The Gambia to persuade him to take the party’s presidential ticket.
