Former Nigerian President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly accepted calls to contest the 2027 presidential election, according to a high-ranking source within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The source, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, revealed that the former leader has yielded to pressure from influential party stakeholders and national elders urging him to return to the political arena.
“The decision has been made. He’s accepted to run. He wants to offer leadership once again to address the poverty, insecurity, and economic hardship currently ravaging the country,” the source stated.
Jonathan, who previously led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, is said to be positioning himself as a transitional leader and has reportedly committed to serving only one term if elected. This one-term pledge is seen as a strategic move to appeal to northern power blocs, allowing a smooth transition of power back to the North in 2031 without resistance from the South.
“He can only run for one term due to constitutional limits, and that’s why northern politicians are backing the idea. They see it as a transitional move,” the insider added.
Strategic Consultations Underway
Jonathan has begun holding consultations both within and outside the PDP. Notably, he met over the weekend with former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) at his residence in Minna, Niger State. The meeting is believed to have centered on his presidential ambition and efforts to secure support from northern political heavyweights.
In the South-South region, Jonathan is reportedly holding private engagements with influential stakeholders, particularly in Port Harcourt. Though the specifics of these meetings remain undisclosed, sources close to the former president are confident that he will enjoy overwhelming support from his home region.
Additionally, PDP leaders have made significant efforts to persuade Jonathan. Reports indicate that several party chieftains recently visited him in The Gambia, where he had been residing, to finalize discussions about his return.
Speaking to BBC Hausa, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi confirmed that discussions with Jonathan are ongoing.
“Many Nigerians have now come to recognise the value of his past leadership. People are asking for his return, and we, as a party, are listening,” Abdullahi said.
He also emphasized that Jonathan has remained a loyal member of the PDP and is seen as a strong and credible candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Legal Hurdles and Constitutional Debate
Jonathan’s possible return to the presidency has revived legal and constitutional debates over his eligibility. Under Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended in 2018), any person who has been sworn in twice as president is barred from contesting again.
Legal experts are divided on how the clause applies to Jonathan, who first assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and then won a full term in 2011.
Some argue that the 2018 constitutional amendment renders Jonathan ineligible. Others insist that the amendment cannot be applied retroactively, and thus does not affect his candidacy.
In a landmark ruling in 2022, however, a Federal High Court in Yenagoa ruled in Jonathan’s favor, affirming that the amendment could not retroactively disqualify him from contesting.
As momentum builds and consultations continue, the prospect of Jonathan returning to Aso Rock is sparking nationwide debate. Supporters view him as a stabilizing figure with the moral authority to guide Nigeria through its current challenges, while critics question the legality and political wisdom of his re-emergence.
One thing is clear: Goodluck Jonathan’s potential return is poised to reshape the 2027 electoral landscape.
