BREAKING: Jonathan Agrees to Run for President Again in 2027
The insider, who is also a PDP stalwart, told Vanguard that Jonathan has accepted the party’s draft proposal and intends to run a single four-year term if elected
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Jonathan Agrees to Run for President Again in 2027
Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has agreed to contest in the 2027 presidential election, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A close ally of the former president confirmed the development on Wednesday, revealing that consultations with party stakeholders, elder statesmen, and political heavyweights have been ongoing for months to bring Jonathan back into the presidential race under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.
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Jonathan’s Return: A Strategic Move
The insider, who is also a PDP stalwart, told Vanguard that Jonathan has accepted the party’s draft proposal and intends to run a single four-year term if elected. The aim, he said, is to tackle worsening economic hardship, rising poverty, and widespread discontent across the country.
“This is a rescue mission,” the source noted. “He’s coming back to stabilize the economy, restore dignity to governance, and hand over power to the North in 2031.”
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Political observers see the decision as a strategic compromise that could calm the simmering zoning tension between the North and South. By running a single term, Jonathan’s candidacy could pave the way for a smoother power transition and bolster PDP’s unity.
Meetings With Power Brokers
Jonathan is said to have met with several key figures in recent weeks to cement support for his return. Notably, he held private discussions with former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida at his Minna Hilltop residence in Niger State.
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He has also been touring the South-South region to rally support, with meetings held in Port Harcourt and Bayelsa. Sources close to his team say he has received overwhelming encouragement from his political base.
PDP Intensifies Lobby for Jonathan
Top PDP officials are actively pursuing Jonathan’s candidacy. Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed that the party was responding to nationwide calls urging Jonathan to “rescue the country.”
“There’s a growing national sentiment that Jonathan’s leadership was underappreciated,” Abdullahi said. “People now realise what we lost. He remains a PDP man, and we believe he can lead this party and the country forward.”
Some party leaders, including governors, recently travelled to The Gambia to meet with Jonathan, further solidifying the seriousness of the party’s offer.
Talks of Automatic Ticket
The PDP’s National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, hinted that the party might hand Jonathan an automatic ticket, bypassing the usual primaries.
“Jonathan is our national leader and the best candidate at this time,” Woyengikuro said. “If he accepts, the entire dynamics of the 2027 election will change. We must salvage this country.”
He also named Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a possible running mate or key figure in the party’s renewed southern leadership strategy.
Constitutional Debate on Eligibility
Jonathan’s return has reignited legal debate over his eligibility to contest. At the heart of the matter is Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which bars anyone from being sworn in as President more than twice.
Jonathan had completed the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and later won the 2011 election, serving until 2015. Legal scholars are split on whether the constitutional amendment passed in 2018 applies retroactively.
In 2022, the Federal High Court in Yenagoa ruled in Jonathan’s favour, stating that the amendment could not bar him from contesting since his first swearing-in was due to the “Doctrine of Necessity” and not via election.
Senior Advocates of Nigeria such as Dayo Akinlaja and Elekwachi Nnabuihe argue that Jonathan remains eligible, while others like rights lawyer Johnmary Jideobi insist that any further tenure would violate the eight-year constitutional limit.
Bode George: Jonathan Is PDP’s Best Bet
Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, threw his weight behind Jonathan, describing him as the most marketable candidate with a proven track record.
“He never left the party. He has the best economic track record among recent presidents. Nigerians know what they are getting with Jonathan,” George said.
What Lies Ahead
With the PDP consolidating behind Jonathan and the legal waters still somewhat murky, the stage is set for one of the most defining presidential contests in Nigeria’s democratic history. Should he formally declare, Jonathan’s candidacy could shift the political landscape, redraw alliances, and ignite fierce debate over leadership, legacy, and the law.
