Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has finally agreed to contest the 2027 presidential election, following months of intense pressure and behind-the-scenes lobbying by influential political figures and elders within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A senior PDP figure, who is directly involved in the ongoing negotiations, disclosed to Vanguard that Jonathan has accepted to throw his hat back into the ring, citing the need for experienced and unifying leadership to steer Nigeria away from its current socio-economic challenges.
“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 revealed.
Jonathan, who first became president in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and went on to win a full term in 2011, has reportedly committed to serving only one term if elected in 2027. This pledge, according to insiders, is central to gaining the confidence of northern political leaders, many of whom are backing his comeback as a bridge toward power rotation back to the North by 2031.
“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 ally said.
As part of his re-entry plan, Jonathan has already commenced high-level consultations with political stakeholders across the country. Notably, he met recently with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), in Minna, Niger State, where he reportedly briefed the elder statesman on his decision.
In the South-South, Jonathan is said to be holding private meetings with key powerbrokers, including closed-door sessions in Port Harcourt and other parts of the Niger Delta. Observers say the region remains firmly in his corner and is unlikely to pose any opposition to his bid.
Within the PDP, the news has sparked renewed energy. Party chieftains, some of whom visited Jonathan recently in The Gambia, are believed to be working behind the scenes to secure full support from the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the Governors’ Forum.
Speaking to BBC Hausa, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed that discussions are ongoing and that the party is open to Jonathan’s return.
“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 added that Jonathan has remained a committed member of the PDP and that his return could offer a strong, unifying alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its standard bearer, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the next election cycle.
Legal Controversy Lingers
Despite the growing support, Jonathan’s comeback is already stirring constitutional debate. In 2018, a constitutional amendment—Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution—was introduced, barring anyone who has been sworn in twice as president from seeking the office again.
Legal analysts remain divided. Some argue that the amendment disqualifies Jonathan outright since he was sworn in in 2010 (to complete Yar’Adua’s term) and again in 2011 after winning the presidential election. Others insist that the amendment cannot be applied retroactively, as it came into force after Jonathan left office.
Backing the latter view, a 2022 ruling by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa declared that Jonathan was constitutionally eligible to contest, stating that the amendment could not nullify rights that existed prior to its passage.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, Jonathan’s re-emergence is likely to shake up existing political calculations, especially within the PDP and among regional blocs. His supporters argue that he represents stability and continuity, while critics remain skeptical about returning to the past.
Whether his candidacy will survive legal hurdles and party politics remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Goodluck Jonathan is back in the game.