Ex‑President reportedly eyes Peoples Democratic Party platform; N100m form sparks scramble, legal challenge and sharp reactions from political and regional leaders
By Soni Daniel, Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Dapo Akinrefon, Peter Duru, Gabriel Ewepu & Luminous Jannamike
Abuja
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has reportedly decided to pursue the 2027 presidency through the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), setting off a frenzied push by several interest groups to secure the party’s N100 million presidential nomination form on his behalf, Vanguard has reliably gathered.
A senior member of Jonathan’s camp told Vanguard that the choice of the PDP followed “extensive deliberations” over which platform gives the ex‑president the best chance of returning to Aso Rock to address rising hardship and economic problems. The source said Jonathan has yet to make a formal public declaration but has made up his mind after wide consultations.
The revelation immediately triggered a scramble among pro‑Jonathan networks—many based in the North—to raise and purchase the nomination form before the submission deadline. Names of groups reported to be mobilising funds for the form include the Coalition for Jonathan, Goodies Movement, The New Nigeria (TNN), Almajiri Network, Arewa for Good Governance, Northern Youth Alliance for Good Governance, Northern Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, Arewa for Better Government and North Youth Progressive Movement. The Goodluckan Movement, a diaspora‑based group, is also claiming the right to buy the form.
PDP confirms membership; legal cloud looms
PDP spokesman Ini Ememobong confirmed that Jonathan completed online registration with the party earlier this year, and noted there has been no denial from the former president’s media team about his party membership. A faction of the party led by Turaki also issued a statement indicating Jonathan has fulfilled conditions to fly the PDP flag.
Jonathan has moved to the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge an application by a lawyer seeking to bar him from contesting on the ground that he has already served two terms. The outcome of the case will be pivotal to any formal bid.
Mixed reactions from political and regional leaders
Reactions to the report were immediate and mixed. Afenifere, the pan‑Yoruba socio‑political group, said Jonathan “must have weighed his chances” before deciding to re‑enter the race and warned of numerous hurdles within a factionalised PDP. Afenifere leader Oba Oladipo Olaitan said: “If it is the PDP, let us hope he is able to use the platform without having any external interference.”
The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) urged caution. MBF national president Dr. Bitrus Pogu advised Jonathan against contesting, warning that the current toxic political climate could damage the statesmanlike image he earned after leaving office. “He performed well and ended well; he has earned a place of honour,” Pogu said, adding that Jonathan should avoid the “dirty politics” of the moment.
Chief Chekwas Okorie, founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), described a return to active partisanship as “a catastrophic misadventure,” saying Jonathan’s global standing and dignity would be compromised by re‑entering fractious politics 11 years after leaving office.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) warned that Jonathan’s entry could “overheat the system” and further splinter opposition votes, potentially benefiting the ruling party. A senior CAN source expressed concern that multiple strong contenders could replicate the opposition split that undermined efforts in the 2023 election.
Other voices were more sceptical of Jonathan’s ties to the PDP. Diran Odeyemi, national treasurer of the Wike‑led PDP faction, warned Jonathan against being “deceived” into a sudden partisan comeback, saying he has not been an active party member since leaving office.
Strategic implications
Former Obasanjo aide Akin Osuntokun said Jonathan has historically been a strategic preference for northern power brokers but stressed legal and political constraints: “He is statutorily limited to one term in office, assuming he is not constitutionally barred already.” Osuntokun questioned whether Jonathan has assurances that the PDP has cleared its internal legal hurdles and suggested the move could complicate the prospects of other opposition tickets, including the Obi/Kwankwaso alliance.
Northern Elders Forum (NEF) insisted it remains non‑partisan and offered no endorsement for any candidate, including Jonathan, Atiku, Obi or Tinubu.
Background
In 2022 a northern almajiri group made headlines by claiming it had acquired an APC form for Jonathan; he disowned that initiative and no form was submitted. The N100 million PDP form price now at the centre of the current scramble underscores the high stakes and financial mobilisation expected ahead of party primaries.
One option: How Jonathan could proceed
If Jonathan intends to convert this momentum into a viable campaign, one pragmatic pathway would be:
• Secure PDP nomination: Ensure formal party registration and resolve any internal factional objections within the PDP. Work urgently with party lawyers to clear the pending court challenge or secure an expedited legal resolution.
• Build a cross‑regional coalition: To avoid being boxed into regional cleavages, assemble a broad coalition that includes key South‑South stakeholders, South‑East, South‑West and neutral Northern power brokers—especially those alarmed by vote fragmentation. Neutralise potential spoilers through negotiated agreements or power‑sharing assurances.
• Manage reputation risk: Publicly reaffirm a statesmanlike agenda focused on economic recovery, anti‑poverty measures and national unity to counter warnings that a return would tarnish his post‑presidential stature.
• Fundraise transparently: Coordinate the different pro‑Jonathan groups to avoid public infighting over the nomination form, with transparent accounting to protect against accusations of impropriety.
• Prepare legal and political messaging: Anticipate arguments about term limits and craft constitutional and political rebuttals; invest in a disciplined media and grassroots campaign that emphasises policy, not personality.
Whether Jonathan will formally declare and how the PDP and other stakeholders respond remains to be seen. But his reported intent has already reshaped political calculations and promises to intensify pre‑2027 realignments.
