The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed reports claiming it has entered into a political pact with former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that consultations over its presidential ticket are still ongoing.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the party’s Deputy National Spokesman, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, said the NDC had neither zoned its presidential ticket to any region nor concluded talks with Jonathan or any other aspirant.
According to him, discussions within the party remain open as political realignments continue ahead of the next general election.
“The NDC is a party that believes in merging ideas and consultations across boards,” Abdulsalam said.
“I can categorically tell you that we have not zoned the presidential ticket. Consultations are still ongoing since politics is a dynamic game.”
The party spokesman also revealed that several influential politicians, including former governors, ex-ministers, and current and former lawmakers, were showing interest in joining the NDC from different political parties, including the ruling party.
“As I speak to you, we are still expecting high-profile personalities, including former governors, ex-ministers, serving and former lawmakers, even from the ruling party,” he stated.
“The NDC is the beautiful bride that everybody wants to have right now.”
Abdulsalam described reports linking Jonathan to the party’s 2027 presidential ambition as mere speculation, stressing that no formal arrangement currently exists between the former president and the NDC.
“This is another rumour making the rounds that former President Jonathan wants to pitch his tent in our party,” he said.
“There is no concrete move like that in the hierarchy of our party, and such a decision has not been taken.”
Despite denying any agreement with Jonathan, Abdulsalam maintained that the former president remains eligible to contest for office under any political platform if he decides to return to active politics.
“But I can tell you that everything is still possible in the case of former President Jonathan,” he added.
“He is a Nigerian who is eminently qualified to fly the flag of the party on any platform of his choice. But as of today, we have no pact with him.”
