Raphael Kanu
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is preparing to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, a close ally of the former leader has confirmed.
The ally, a top member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that discussions to draft Jonathan back into the race have advanced significantly. According to him, Jonathan has accepted the call and intends to run on the PDP platform, with a mission to confront Nigeria’s worsening poverty, economic hardship, and national discontent.
Supporters of the move argue that a single four-year term under Jonathan offers a path to stabilise the country and create a smooth transition of power to the North in 2031—without renewed regional agitation.
Jonathan, who already served one full term after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, would be constitutionally barred from seeking more than one additional term.
Sources confirmed that Jonathan recently met with former military President Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State, to discuss his ambition. While Babangida’s position remains unclear, insiders say the proposal has been well received in the North.
Jonathan is currently in the South-South region, holding consultations with key stakeholders to firm up regional support. Although the names of those he met in Port Harcourt remain undisclosed, insiders believe the former President still commands solid backing in the region.
According to credible sources and BBC Hausa reports, the PDP—supported by some governors and influential leaders—is actively wooing Jonathan to lead the opposition’s 2027 presidential campaign.
Confirming the development, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi said many Nigerians now regret voting Jonathan out in 2015 and are urging his return.
“Many Nigerians have come to realise the mistake they made in not re-electing Dr. Jonathan. They now acknowledge his achievements and are even apologising, pleading with him to return and rescue the country,” Abdullahi said.
He added that since Jonathan remained a PDP member, the party saw no reason not to approach him. “He is a compassionate leader, and as a party that listens to Nigerians, we felt compelled to heed their call,” he added.
Jonathan has reportedly begun setting conditions for his comeback, including clarity on whether he will be handed the ticket outright or required to contest the primaries, and whether the party genuinely sees him as its best option.
Speaking exclusively to some media outfits, PDP National Financial Secretary Daniel Woyengikuro openly supported granting Jonathan the party’s automatic ticket.
“Goodluck Jonathan is our national leader and the best choice for the Southern presidency. An automatic ticket? Yes, I fully support it,” he stated.
He also praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a dynamic young leader capable of national leadership, suggesting that the PDP is banking on either Jonathan or Makinde to reclaim power in 2027.
Debate persists over Jonathan’s eligibility due to a 2018 constitutional amendment that bars anyone who has been sworn in twice as President from seeking election again.
The Fourth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution, now law, states: Section 137(3): A person sworn in to complete another’s presidential term cannot be elected for more than one full term. Section 182(3): Applies similarly to governors.
Jonathan was sworn in in 2010 after Yar’Adua’s death and then elected in 2011 for a full term. He lost his reelection bid in 2015.
However, a Federal High Court ruling in 2022 held that the 2018 amendment could not be applied retroactively, and thus did not affect Jonathan’s eligibility.
Justice Isa Hamma Dashen, ruling on a suit in Yenagoa, stated: “The amendment came after Jonathan’s terms and cannot be retroactively enforced.”
Lawyers remain divided on the matter. Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, insists Jonathan is eligible since the law wasn’t in effect during his presidency. Elekwachi Nnabuihe, another senior lawyer, agrees: “He was only elected once—laws are not retroactive.”
But Johnmary Jideobi, a human rights lawyer, warns that reelecting Jonathan would breach the constitutional eight-year limit set by the Supreme Court in Marwa v. Nyako (2012).
Speaking on the issue, former PDP Deputy National Chairman Chief Bode George strongly backed Jonathan’s return.
“He is very qualified because he did not leave the party. The more the merrier. All those who say they want to contest should wait till 2035. He is the easiest to sell because he has a track record, especially the economic indices Nigeria witnessed during his tenure.”
On Jonathan’s previous swearing-in, George explained that it was done under the Doctrine of Necessity, not as a result of an election, and therefore does not count against him.