Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is reportedly gearing up for a political comeback and may run against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, according to a Vanguard report citing a close ally of the former leader.
The ally, who is also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), confirmed that discussions to draft Jonathan into the race under the PDP platform are at an advanced stage. He added that Jonathan has accepted the call to contest, driven by a desire to address Nigeria’s worsening poverty, economic hardship, and rising insecurity.
According to Vanguard, key political figures and elder statesmen are said to be behind the move, citing Jonathan’s tenure between 2010 and 2015 as a period of relative economic and political stability. The plan, sources say, is to offer him a single four-year term, after which power could return to the North in 2031 — a prospect that appeals to power brokers from the region.
Jonathan is said to have already begun high-level consultations, including a recent private meeting with former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), at his Hilltop residence in Minna, Niger State. While details of IBB’s response remain unclear, the source expressed confidence that the proposal has been well received in northern circles.
Vanguard also reports that Jonathan is currently engaging stakeholders in the South-South region to gain their backing as momentum builds for his potential 2027 bid.
