THERE are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is making a determined push to bring back former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, amid growing uncertainty about Peter Obi’s political trajectory and loyalty to the opposition party.
Multiple party sources confirmed to this newspaper that high-level consultations are ongoing within the PDP to offer Jonathan an automatic presidential ticket, citing his constitutional eligibility to serve only one term, a factor party insiders believe could be a unifying compromise among various regional power blocs.
“Serious efforts are being made to pull Jonathan into the race,” a PDP Board of Trustees member revealed under anonymity. “Our northern colleagues strongly believe it’s time for him to complete his second term.”
While the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, Peter Obi, is still being floated as a viable candidate especially given his popularity among Nigerian youths and southern voters — insiders say many PDP leaders view his return as risky and uncertain, especially amid the internal challenges facing the Labour Party.
Peter Obi has consistently vowed to serve only one term if elected, a promise he reiterated recently in response to critics, including Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.
However, some within the PDP remain skeptical of Obi’s assurances, arguing that only a candidate constitutionally bound to a single term, like Jonathan, can guarantee stability within the party and the country.
“It’s not that Obi has been ruled out,” the PDP BoT source added, “but the dynamics in the Labour Party and the broader coalition make it dangerous to put all our eggs in one basket.”
The calculations, according to insiders, revolve around zoning, trust, and electoral strategy, with some Northern stakeholders reportedly preferring a Southern candidate they can rally behind, knowing they would only serve four years.
Former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana, added fuel to the debate during an appearance on Arise Television, saying that while Obi is a good candidate, the PDP has “even better candidates” within its ranks.
Gana argued that Obi’s return to the PDP could boost his chances of winning, especially with the PDP’s extensive northern political infrastructure, but expressed reservations about depending solely on that scenario.
The speculation around Jonathan’s potential return gained momentum following his recent trip to The Gambia, where he was spotted in the company of PDP heavyweights, including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Senator Abdul Ningi.
While the visit was officially described as a diplomatic mission for regional peacebuilding and democratic governance, multiple sources suggest that part of the private discussions also touched on financing the PDP, internal reconciliation, and the 2027 presidential strategy.
Notably, Governor Bala Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, had in 2023 publicly stated that he would not contest for president if Jonathan decided to run.
“If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood,” Mohammed declared at the time. “He may be reluctant, but we must encourage him.”
Meanwhile, voices from Obi’s support base, particularly the Obidient Movement, have poured cold water on the idea of Obi returning to the PDP. Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, a prominent movement leader in the South East, warned that it would be “politically unwise” for Obi to align himself with what he called a fractured and embattled party.
“You can’t swim in a river filled with sharks and crocodiles,” Ezeh said, adding that PDP’s internal stability would only be clearer after its elective convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, this November.
As the PDP prepares for what could be a make-or-break electoral cycle in 2027, the choice between a returning Obi and a one-term Jonathan reflects deeper ideological and strategic debates within the party.
With the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) already gearing up to defend the Tinubu presidency, the PDP’s decision over the next year could determine whether the opposition remains fractured or presents a unified front capable of mounting a serious challenge.