Only Jonathan can complete the PDP vision – party insists on 2027 bid
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended an open invitation to former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
In an exclusive interview with Saturday PUNCH, the PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, expressed the party’s unwavering support for Jonathan’s return, describing it as a critical step to complete his unfinished agenda within the party.
Abdullahi emphasised that it would be “deeply regrettable” if the former president chose another political party for his presidential aspirations, warning against what he termed “the hypocrisy of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
“It’s crucial for Jonathan to remember how these same people criticised and derided him in the past. Now they suddenly praise him as the ‘messiah.’ He must not fall for their sudden affection,” Abdullahi said.
He stressed the PDP’s historical role in Jonathan’s political rise, citing the party’s legacy of producing transformational leaders such as Akinwunmi Adesina, Dora Akunyili, Okonjo-Iweala, and Amina Mohammed.
Recent sightings of Jonathan’s campaign posters in major streets of Kano, with slogans like “The Goodluck Nigeria Needs—Dr Goodluck Jonathan,” have intensified rumours about his return to active politics. The posters were reportedly commissioned by a group known as Team New Nigeria, which has been mobilising support for the former president.
The development mirrors similar moves in 2023 when Jonathan’s supporters purchased APC nomination forms on his behalf—a move he distanced himself from. Political analysts suggest that Jonathan remains eligible to serve one more term, having previously held office from 2011 to 2015.
The PDP’s call comes amidst internal tensions within the party. The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has faced mounting criticism, with party leaders divided over his leadership. Insiders revealed that the party’s future direction would be determined at its February 2025 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
A PDP NEC member, speaking anonymously, warned that any further delay in addressing the party’s internal issues could jeopardise its chances in 2027.
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Reacting to the PDP’s invitation, APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, dismissed the idea of Jonathan as a threat to their dominance.
“The APC defeated Jonathan when he was in power. Defeating him when he’s out of power will be even easier,” Ibrahim stated, adding that even with “10 Jonathans,” the PDP stands no chance against the APC under President Tinubu’s leadership.
As 2027 draws closer, the PDP’s invitation to Jonathan underscores its strategic focus on reclaiming political ground. However, with party infighting and rising competition from other prominent candidates like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, the journey to the elections promises to be as complex as it is unpredictable.
Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime
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