PDP Eyes Goodluck Jonathan as 2027 Presidential Candidate Amid Obi Uncertainty
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may be gearing up for a major political comeback ahead of the 2027 general elections as strong indications suggest the party is considering former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate—should Peter Obi decline a return to the fold.
According to credible sources reported by The Guardian, discussions within the PDP hierarchy began shortly after key party members expressed doubts over Obi’s future political direction, particularly his commitment to the Labour Party and its fragile coalition structure.
In what appears to be a strategic contingency plan, a group of influential PDP leaders has reportedly been tasked with convincing Dr. Jonathan to accept an automatic ticket to fly the party’s flag in 2027. Party insiders believe Jonathan’s return would present a unifying and less controversial alternative amid the uncertainties surrounding Obi’s political alignment.
Former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, recently weighed in on the matter during a national broadcast. While acknowledging Obi’s impressive performance in the 2023 elections under the Labour Party, Gana argued that the PDP still has the machinery to produce a stronger, more nationally acceptable candidate—particularly with its established voter base in the North.
He also noted that Obi would perform better if he returned to the PDP, given its broader structure, but emphasized that the party must plan ahead in case he doesn’t.
Meanwhile, some PDP leaders are openly rooting for Jonathan’s return, arguing that he remains a viable option who would only be eligible to serve one term—a factor they consider strategic for future party planning. This single-term scenario, they believe, would allow the PDP to manage internal ambitions and succession planning more effectively.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, who spoke anonymously, revealed that support for Jonathan is especially strong in the North, where many see his potential comeback as a form of political justice and continuity.
According to the source, “It is not that Peter Obi has been ruled out completely, but we don’t want to enter the election season without a clear alternative. The Labour Party has its internal troubles. We need stability.”
Private consultations about Jonathan’s possible return reportedly took place recently in The Gambia, where party chieftains gathered to deliberate on funding, electoral strategy, and the PDP’s future leadership outlook.
In a related development, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, had previously declared that he would not run for president in 2027 if Jonathan expresses interest. In a public statement last year, Mohammed said he would fully support his former boss out of respect and loyalty.
On the other hand, some close associates of Peter Obi have dismissed talk of his return to PDP as premature. One of his key allies, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, suggested that the PDP is still battling internal crises and must first restore stability before expecting Obi to consider rejoining.
Ezeh recommended that the party’s upcoming elective convention in November would be a better time for serious reconciliation talks.
As the 2027 race slowly begins to take shape, the PDP’s potential strategy of reinstating Jonathan reflects the high-stakes calculations underway in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
