A prominent associate of former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that the ex-leader may emerge as a major contender in the 2027 presidential election, potentially challenging the current President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to a report by Vanguard, the associate — who, like Jonathan, is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — disclosed that plans to field the former president as the PDP’s presidential flagbearer have progressed significantly.
He claimed that Jonathan had agreed to return to the political arena, driven by a desire to combat Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, widespread poverty, and the deepening hardship being experienced by the masses.
The source stated that the initiative to bring Jonathan back into the race is being championed by influential Nigerian statesmen and political elders. These individuals reportedly believe that Jonathan’s six-year tenure offered relative economic stability and national unity, both of which they argue are lacking under the current administration.
“The project to return Dr. Jonathan to power is rooted in the belief that he possesses the experience and temperament to reposition Nigeria,” the source noted.
“His leadership in the past brought calm and stability. That’s why several senior figures in the PDP and beyond have been appealing to him to consider running again in 2027.”
It was also revealed that Jonathan has already begun consultations behind closed doors. He has reportedly met with several prominent figures within and outside the PDP to gauge their support and secure political backing for the upcoming presidential bid.
One such strategic meeting, according to the ally, took place last weekend when Jonathan visited former military president General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State.
During the meeting, Jonathan is said to have shared his intention to run for a single term in office if elected in 2027. While General Babangida’s response was not disclosed, the source expressed confidence that the proposal has gained significant traction, particularly in northern Nigeria.
In addition to his northern outreach, Jonathan is said to be actively engaging stakeholders in the South-South geopolitical zone. He is reportedly holding high-level consultations across the region to consolidate support from grassroots leaders and political influencers.
Although details of his meetings in Port Harcourt, Rivers State — which reportedly took place on Tuesday and Wednesday — remain unclear, analysts suggest that the former president retains a strong support base in the region, which would work in his favour should he officially declare his candidacy.
As of the time of filing this report, former President Jonathan has not made any public statements confirming or denying the speculations about his return to the presidential race.
Nonetheless, political analysts believe that his growing consultations and interactions with power brokers point towards a calculated and deliberate build-up to a formal announcement.
Jonathan, a native of Otuoke in Bayelsa State, previously served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 2007 to 2010 under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He assumed the presidency following Yar’Adua’s death in 2010 and was subsequently elected as President, serving until 2015. In that year, he lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari and became the first sitting Nigerian president to concede defeat, thereby ensuring a peaceful democratic transition.