2027: Goodluck Jonathan Reportedly Set to Run Against Tinubu – Insider Reveals
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is reportedly making a political comeback and has accepted in principle to run for president in 2027 under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform, with the goal of challenging incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to an exclusive report by Vanguard, a close ally of Jonathan confirmed that the former leader is seriously considering a return to Aso Rock, driven by concerns over Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship and insecurity.
“Jonathan is being urged to contest again to reposition Nigeria. The idea is to give him one term to stabilise the system and possibly return power to the North by 2031 without much resistance from the South,” the source revealed.
Northern Endorsement and Political Calculations
Behind-the-scenes meetings have reportedly been held to drum up support, including a high-level consultation with former military president General Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, Niger State. Although details of Babangida’s response remain confidential, insiders say northern political elites are warming up to the idea of Jonathan’s return. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
The plan, according to insiders, is strategic: a one-term presidency for Jonathan would cool tensions between the North and South, laying the groundwork for a smooth power rotation in 2031.
South-South Mobilisation and Party Conditions
Jonathan is also said to be consulting stakeholders in the South-South, particularly in Port Harcourt, to solidify regional backing.
Meanwhile, the PDP appears fully committed to bringing him back into its inner circle. Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, told BBC Hausa that public sentiment has shifted in Jonathan’s favour:
“People now admit they made a mistake by not re-electing him. He’s being asked to return and rescue the country.”
He added that Jonathan is setting conditions before formally accepting, including clarity on the party’s primary process and a defined role if he picks the ticket.
Sources also claim that some PDP leaders met with Jonathan in The Gambia, where he’s known to maintain a diplomatic presence, to persuade him further.
A Dramatic 2027 Showdown Looms
Should Jonathan officially declare, it sets the stage for a high-stakes 2027 presidential showdown between two political heavyweights—Jonathan of the PDP and Tinubu of the APC. The political landscape is bracing for a potential clash of legacies, ideologies, and regional interests.