2027 Presidency: Goodluck Jonathan to run against Tinubu

Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is reportedly preparing to contest the 2027 presidential election against incumbent President Bola Tinubu, a close associate of the former leader has revealed.

The ally—who is a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—confirmed that plans to draft Jonathan into the 2027 race on the PDP platform were well underway. According to him, the former president has accepted the call to return to office, motivated by a desire to tackle Nigeria’s worsening poverty, economic hardship, and rising social instability.

"The movement to bring back Jonathan is being championed by influential Nigerian leaders and elders who believe he stabilized both the country and the economy during his six-year tenure," the source stated.

The ally further disclosed that the push for Jonathan’s return is rooted in efforts to "rescue Nigeria and restore its economy to a position of pride." To this end, top PDP figures and elder statesmen have been lobbying the former president, urging him to contest in 2027.

Jonathan is said to be actively consulting with key stakeholders across the South-South region, gauging their support and selling the vision of his potential comeback.

In political circles, some believe that Jonathan’s return—limited to a constitutionally permitted single four-year term—could serve as a strategic bridge to allow power to rotate back to the North by 2031 without major conflict from the South. Having already served one term, Jonathan is ineligible to serve more than four additional years.

The source also revealed that Jonathan has held private meetings with several high-profile political figures, both within and outside the PDP. Notably, he reportedly met with former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), last weekend at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna, Niger State, to brief him on his intentions.

While the outcome of the meeting with General Babangida remains undisclosed, Jonathan’s ally expressed confidence that the idea of his return is gaining traction, particularly in Northern political circles.