Goodluck Jonathan set to contest 2027 Presidency, PDP confirms ongoing talks

Fresh reports indicate that former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is gearing up for a dramatic political comeback, with plans to contest the 2027 presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

A close associate of the former president confirmed that Jonathan has given his nod to re-enter the political arena, spurred by widespread calls from party leaders and concerned Nigerians who believe he is best positioned to steer the country away from deepening hardship.

The source, a longstanding political ally of the Bayelsa-born statesman, disclosed that consultations have reached advanced stages, particularly within the PDP leadership structure.

Jonathan is said to have privately met with key northern political stakeholders to secure their support ahead of a formal announcement.

Notably, the former president reportedly held a closed-door meeting with former military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State, last weekend. During the meeting, Jonathan was said to have shared his intention to contest and serve only one term if elected.

The move, according to sources, is part of a broader strategy aimed at presenting Jonathan as a unifying figure with the experience and temperament to restore stability and economic direction after years of deepening poverty, insecurity, and social discontent under the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.

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Confirming internal moves to bring Jonathan back into the fold, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, told Vanguard that the party is actively engaging the former president.

“Many Nigerians have come to realise the mistake they made in not re-electing Dr. Jonathan. They now acknowledge his achievements and are even apologising, pleading with him to return and rescue the country,” Abdullahi said.

He noted that Jonathan’s track record, especially in the areas of democratic governance, national cohesion, and economic stability, has become increasingly attractive to voters disillusioned with the current administration.

Sources close to the discussions say Jonathan’s proposed comeback would be for a single four-year term, aligning with both internal party arrangements and wider regional political calculations.

This would allow the South-South to hold the presidency for one term before power possibly returns to the North or shifts to another region in 2031.

Jonathan’s return bid, if officially declared, would not only reshape the 2027 race but also recalibrate alignments within both the PDP and APC, where factions remain wary of his potential to command a broad coalition of support.

While the former president has not yet made a public declaration, political observers believe his re-entry could serve as a rallying point for opposition forces aiming to unseat the APC, which has held power since 2015.

As Nigeria inches closer to another critical election cycle, the prospect of Jonathan returning to Aso Rock—more than a decade after he left office—adds a compelling new dimension to the nation’s evolving political narrative.