- Jonathan Reportedly Finalises Decision To Contest 2027 Presidency
- Multiple support groups are scrambling to purchase PDP nomination form.
- Court case may determine Jonathan’s eligibility for another presidential bid.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan may return to the presidential race on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general election, according to sources close to his camp.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that a senior official within Jonathan’s team told Vanguard on Sunday that the decision to align with the PDP followed extensive consultations and strategic discussions on the political platform that would offer him stronger chances in the election.
According to the source, Jonathan is considering a comeback to provide what supporters described as “quality leadership” at a time many Nigerians are battling economic hardship and rising poverty.
The development has reportedly sparked intense competition among various support groups seeking to purchase the PDP presidential nomination form for the former president.
The PDP had fixed its presidential nomination form at ₦100 million.
Sources said several groups were racing against time to secure the form before the submission deadline on Tuesday.
One of the groups, the Goodluckian Movement, reportedly insisted it should be given the opportunity to purchase the form, arguing that it represented Nigerians in the diaspora more effectively than some northern-based support groups making similar moves.
Other groups said to be mobilising support for Jonathan include Coalition for Jonathan, which had previously organised youth visits to Jonathan’s office to persuade him to contest, Goodies Movement, an online support platform, and The New Nigeria, a northern-based grassroots movement.
Additional groups reportedly backing the former president include the Almajiri Network, Arewa for Good Governance, Northern Youth Alliance for Good Governance, Northern Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, Arewa for Better Government, and North Youth Progressive Movement.
Sources within Jonathan’s camp claimed that each of the support groups had pledged to independently raise the ₦100 million required for the nomination form.
Although Jonathan had earlier informed supporters urging him to contest in 2027 that he would consult widely before making a final decision, insiders now claim the former president has already resolved to join the race.
The sources said Jonathan believes he can help revive the nation’s economy and reduce the hardship currently facing many citizens if given another opportunity to lead the country.
A prominent supporter of the former president, Dr. Tom Ohikere, had earlier urged Jonathan to “immediately pick a presidential nomination form of any party of your choice to contest the elections.”
Questions had continued to trail the political platform Jonathan would adopt following increasing calls for him to return to active politics.
The Turaki-led faction of the PDP later issued a statement declaring that Jonathan had satisfied the requirements needed to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
The faction’s spokesman, Ini Ememobong, disclosed that Jonathan had already completed his online registration with the party.
Ememobong also dismissed speculations surrounding Jonathan’s membership status, noting that neither the former president’s media aides nor close associates had denied the reports.
In 2022, a northern Almajiri group purchased the ₦100 million presidential nomination form of the All Progressives Congress for Jonathan, but the former president later distanced himself from the move and the form was not submitted.
However, sources said Jonathan’s latest legal action at the Federal High Court in Abuja suggests a more serious political intention ahead of the 2027 election.
The former president had approached the court to seek the dismissal of a suit filed by a lawyer attempting to stop him from contesting again on the grounds that he had already completed two terms in office.
The outcome of the legal battle is expected to determine whether Jonathan can legally challenge the incumbent president and seek a return to Aso Rock in 2027.
