Fresh indications have emerged that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party amid mounting pressure from several support groups urging him to return to power.
As reported by Vanguard, sources close to the former president disclosed on Sunday that the decision followed weeks of consultations and political calculations over the most viable platform for his expected comeback bid.
A senior member of Jonathan’s camp, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the former president and his allies settled for the PDP after weighing his chances of electoral success and the party’s national spread.
The source added that the move had triggered intense lobbying among various pro-Jonathan groups seeking to purchase the party’s N100m presidential nomination form for him before the submission deadline.
According to the insider, several groups have already declared readiness to fund the purchase of the form as part of efforts to persuade the former president to formally join the race.
Among the groups reportedly pushing the project are the Coalition for Jonathan, the Goodies Movement, The New Nigeria movement, the Almajiri Network, Arewa for Good Governance, Northern Youth Alliance for Good Governance and the Northern Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan.
Others include Arewa for Better Government and the North Youth Progressive Movement.
The source claimed that the groups had individually pledged to raise the required funds to secure the PDP nomination form for Jonathan.
It was further gathered that although Jonathan had publicly maintained that he would consult widely before taking a final decision, he had privately resolved to contest the presidency again, with the aim of addressing economic hardship and rising poverty across the country.
The development comes amid renewed political mobilisation by supporters of the former president across different parts of the country.
A pro-Jonathan campaigner, Dr Tom Ohikere, recently urged the former president to immediately obtain a presidential nomination form and join the race ahead of the 2027 polls.
The growing calls for Jonathan’s return had earlier sparked speculation over the political platform he would adopt, prompting the PDP leadership to clarify that the former president remained eligible to contest under the party.
The party’s spokesman, Barrister Ini Ememobong, reportedly stated that Jonathan had completed his PDP online registration earlier in the year, dismissing speculations surrounding his party membership.
Jonathan’s anticipated return has also revived debate over his constitutional eligibility to seek another term in office.
The former president has already approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge a suit seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 election on the grounds that he had already completed two terms in office.
The outcome of the case is expected to determine whether Jonathan can lawfully return to the presidential race and challenge for a comeback to Aso Rock.
(Vanguard)