The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that it has extended an invitation to former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections.
Jonathan, who served as president after winning the 2011 election under the PDP banner, has been a significant figure in Nigerian politics. He initially came to power in 2010 following the death of then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and he was re-elected in 2011. However, his bid for a second term in 2015 was unsuccessful, losing to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which led to the PDP’s transition into opposition after years of being the ruling party since 1999.
Given the PDP’s current internal challenges and divisions, many speculate that Jonathan could be a valuable candidate for the party. Recently, various groups have urged the former president to consider running again in 2027. Nonetheless, there has been no official indication from Jonathan expressing interest in returning to the presidency.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, clarified that the party has not reserved its 2027 ticket for Jonathan. “It is not true that the PDP is wooing former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the presidency in 2027,” he stated.
Abdullahi acknowledged that while Jonathan has the legal right to run for the presidency again, the PDP has not approached him about a potential candidacy. He emphasized that Jonathan, as a bona fide member of the PDP, does not need the party to solicit him for a position.
He further noted that the PDP is not solely reliant on Jonathan, as the party boasts 12 governors and numerous other potential presidential aspirants among its ranks. “We will not keep waiting for one person,” he asserted, recalling how the APC had previously attempted to persuade Jonathan to contest in 2019 after Buhari’s tenure.
As the political landscape evolves, the PDP appears committed to exploring various options for its presidential candidate, ensuring a robust selection process for the upcoming elections.
