Supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan within the Peoples Democratic Party are reportedly intensifying efforts to promote his potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election, despite earlier suggestions that he might not be interested in the race.
According to sources within the PDP National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, high-level consultations are currently underway aimed at encouraging Jonathan to return to active partisan politics. These behind-the-scenes discussions suggest a significant shift from previous indications about the former president’s political future.
Intelligence from Jonathan’s political circle reveals that he has been reaching out to prominent Nigerian figures to discuss his potential presidential ambitions. Sources indicate that among those he has consulted is former military leader Ibrahim Babangida, suggesting the seriousness of his political considerations.
A close political associate of Jonathan, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the former president’s recent statement about betrayals that contributed to his 2015 electoral defeat as a calculated move designed to generate public sympathy. The ally suggested that Jonathan’s remarks during Thursday’s event in Benin City were strategically timed to build momentum for a potential campaign.
The source drew parallels between Jonathan’s recent comments and his September 2010 speech when he was actively seeking the PDP presidential nomination ahead of the 2011 election. According to this analysis, if Jonathan had definitively ruled out running in 2027, he would have made an unambiguous statement to that effect without any political cost.
Adding to the speculation, Jonathan’s cousin Robert Azibaola has directly challenged reports suggesting the former president lacks interest in the 2027 race. Azibaola disputed claims attributed to unnamed aides, stating that “the so-called aide quoted in the publication does not exist.”
Azibaola clarified that while Jonathan has not made an official announcement confirming his intention to seek the presidency, he has equally not eliminated the possibility. This careful positioning appears to leave room for political maneuvering as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
The developments suggest that Jonathan may be seriously considering a return to presidential politics, potentially setting up a significant contest within the PDP and the broader political landscape as Nigeria prepares for its next general election.
