The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its support behind the growing calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to return to the political arena by running for the presidency in 2027. This endorsement comes amid rising discontent among northern elites and politicians with the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Over the past few weeks, speculation has intensified about the potential return of Jonathan, with many northern political figures reportedly dissatisfied with the direction of Tinubu’s government. The rumblings of discontent culminated in a public endorsement by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, who declared his willingness to forgo his own presidential ambitions if Jonathan decided to run.
Speaking at an event organized by the non-governmental organization Save Africa Initiative in Abuja, Mohammed expressed his confidence in Jonathan’s ability to steer the nation toward economic recovery. “He has the experience necessary to revamp the economy and would do a remarkable job if given another chance,” Mohammed asserted.
The PDP has officially aligned itself with this sentiment. In an interview with The PUNCH, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi echoed Mohammed’s views, noting that the former president’s track record makes him a viable candidate for 2027. Abdullahi emphasized Jonathan’s reputation for fairness, referencing his conduct during the 2015 elections when he conceded defeat before the final tally was announced.
“If we are considering a southern candidate in 2027, Jonathan stands out as someone who has already served one term and offers hope for a prosperous future,” Abdullahi stated. He also dismissed concerns about the potential impact on former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, insisting that no single individual could dictate the party’s direction.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the idea of Jonathan running in 2027 as premature and unnecessary. In a phone interview with The PUNCH, APC National Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim criticized the PDP for showing signs of desperation by backing Jonathan’s potential candidacy. Ibrahim warned that should Jonathan decide to run, he would face another defeat, this time from President Tinubu.
“For us to start talking about 2027 is not only premature but also a miscalculation. The APC defeated Jonathan when he was in power, and defeating him now would be even easier,” Ibrahim remarked. He reiterated that the APC, under Tinubu’s leadership, remains confident and unshaken by the PDP’s speculations.
When questioned about the role of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s popularity in the 2015 elections, Ibrahim insisted that it was the APC’s organizational strength, not just Buhari’s following, that led to Jonathan’s defeat. He expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious once again if Jonathan decided to challenge Tinubu in 2027.
Attempts to reach Jonathan’s camp for a response were unsuccessful. When contacted, Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, requested that inquiries be sent via text, but did not respond by the time of publication.
As the political landscape heats up in anticipation of the 2027 elections, both parties seem to be laying the groundwork for what could be another fiercely contested race.
