PDP wants Jonathan return for 2027 election
The opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has endorsed the idea of former President Goodluck Jonathan entering the 2027 presidential race.
Recent speculation suggests that northern elites and politicians are dissatisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and are quietly advocating for a change in government for the next election.
Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Mohammed recently joined the call for Jonathan to run, pledging to abandon his own presidential aspirations if Jonathan agrees to compete. Mohammed made this declaration during an event hosted by the Save Africa Initiative in Abuja.
Mohammed praised Jonathan’s extensive experience, asserting that he could effectively revitalize the economy and deliver positive outcomes if re-elected.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, expressed strong support for both the Bauchi governor’s and northern elites’ positions. Abdullahi emphasized that Mohammed, with his background as a former minister in Jonathan’s administration, understands the country’s challenges and future prospects.
He argued that a southern presidency in 2027 should ideally be someone with prior experience, like Jonathan, who has demonstrated a commitment to democratic principles, including conceding defeat and facilitating a smooth transition of power.
Abdullahi also addressed concerns about the potential discontent of PDP’s former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, stating that Atiku does not have the authority to dictate the party’s candidate choices. He suggested that trying a different candidate in 2027, particularly one with strong prospects like Jonathan, is a valid consideration given the current political climate.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed the idea, arguing that it is premature to discuss 2027 elections when the current administration has not yet completed its mandate. The APC asserted that defeating Jonathan again would be straightforward and not a cause for concern.
APC spokespeople contended that the party’s previous success against Jonathan was due to strong leadership and organizational strategy, not just former President Muhammadu Buhari’s popularity. They expressed confidence in their ability to secure victory against Jonathan once more, should he run.
Attempts to obtain comments from Jonathan’s camp were unsuccessful. His spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, did not respond to inquiries about Jonathan’s interest in the 2027 race.
