Abuja – Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is preparing to make a return to Aso Rock in the 2027 presidential election, reliable sources have confirmed. A close ally of the Bayelsa-born statesman told Vanguard on Wednesday that Jonathan has agreed in principle to run under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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According to the source, the move is being driven by prominent Nigerian leaders and elders who believe Jonathan’s previous administration provided greater national stability and economic direction. The project to draft him for the race is said to have gained significant traction within the PDP.
Consultations Already Underway
The source revealed that the former president recently held private meetings with key political figures across the country. Last weekend, Jonathan reportedly visited former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), at his Minna residence in Niger State to discuss his potential comeback.
Jonathan with Bala Mohammed
Although Babangida’s response remains undisclosed, the source expressed confidence that Jonathan’s proposal for a one-term presidency has found support among northern political elites.
Jonathan is also said to be meeting with critical stakeholders in the South-South region. Though it was unclear who his team met with in Port Harcourt on Tuesday and Wednesday, insiders believe Jonathan retains a strong support base in the region.
PDP Courts Jonathan Aggressively
Meanwhile, the PDP is intensifying efforts to woo Jonathan back into active politics. The party is reportedly aligning its 2027 strategy around the former president, positioning him as the most viable southern candidate to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, confirmed the development in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service. He said many Nigerians now regret not re-electing Jonathan in 2015 and are pleading with him to return.
“Many Nigerians have realised their mistake. They now appreciate Dr. Jonathan’s leadership and want him back to rescue the country,” Abdullahi stated.
He further noted that Jonathan remains a PDP member, which makes the party’s approach both natural and strategic.
Conditions for Return and Possible Automatic Ticket
Abdullahi disclosed that Jonathan has set some conditions for his return, including clarity on whether he would go through the party primaries or receive the presidential ticket unopposed.
“He’s listening. He’s consulting with his inner circle. What we can say is that he’s interested,” Abdullahi said.
In a separate interview, PDP National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, described Jonathan as the de facto leader of the party and a symbol of unity.
“Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? Aside from Obasanjo, Jonathan is the next in line. He is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.
He called for Jonathan to be offered an automatic ticket, citing the urgency of Nigeria’s political and economic crisis. “You can quote me anywhere: I support giving him the ticket automatically. The dynamics of 2027 will change if he accepts,” he asserted.
Woyengikuro also praised Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as another southern figure capable of helping bridge generational gaps.
Legal Debate Over Eligibility
Jonathan’s return bid has reignited constitutional debates over his eligibility. The controversy stems from a 2018 constitutional amendment that bars individuals who have been sworn in twice as President or Governor from seeking re-election.
Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates:
“A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
However, legal interpretations remain divided. While some argue that Jonathan has exhausted his eligibility, others contend that the law does not apply retroactively and therefore does not affect him.
In 2022, the Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, ruled in favour of Jonathan’s eligibility. Justice Isa Hamma Dashen stated that the 2018 amendment could not apply retroactively to Jonathan, who first assumed the presidency in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
The court ruled that since Jonathan’s first term arose constitutionally and not by election, and the law took effect after his tenure, he remains eligible to run.
What Next?
With increasing support from within the PDP and calls from Nigerians urging his return, all indications suggest that Goodluck Jonathan may officially declare his intention to run in the coming months. Should he accept the ticket, the 2027 presidential race promises to be a dramatic rematch, potentially pitting two former presidents—Jonathan and Tinubu—against each other.
