PDP Denies Offering 2027 Presidential Ticket to Jonathan

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports suggesting it has approached former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the presidency in the 2027 general election.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi clarified that the party has not reserved its presidential ticket for Jonathan. “It is not true that the PDP is wooing former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest for the presidency in 2027,” he stated.

Jonathan’s Political Legacy  

Jonathan, who served as vice president under the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, assumed the presidency in 2010 following Yar’Adua’s death. He subsequently won the 2011 presidential election under the PDP but lost his reelection bid in 2015 to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC). That defeat marked the PDP’s transition to opposition status after ruling Nigeria since 1999.

Speculation about Jonathan’s potential return has grown amidst calls from various groups urging him to run in 2027. However, Jonathan has not made any official declaration of interest in the race.

PDP’s Position on Jonathan and 2027  

Abdullahi emphasized that Jonathan remains a member of the PDP and is eligible to contest under the party if he chooses to do so, as permitted by Nigerian law. However, he noted that the PDP has not made any overtures to the former president or positioned him as its sole candidate.

“He could contest the presidency, and he deserves it,” Abdullahi said. “But the PDP has not spoken to Jonathan about the need for him to run. The party does not believe he is the only one who can contest.”

Other Aspirants in Focus

The PDP spokesperson highlighted that the party has a robust pool of potential presidential aspirants, including its 12 serving governors and other prominent politicians. “We are not waiting on one individual to decide the future of our party,” Abdullahi added.

He also recalled that Jonathan was previously courted by the APC to run on its platform after Buhari’s tenure, a move he declined. The PDP, he said, remains focused on rebuilding its strength and presenting capable candidates for future elections.