Politics

Fresh Moves To Drag Jonathan Into 2027 Presidential Race Revealed

Published

4 months ago

July 7, 2025

Fresh attempts have been launched by a coalition of forces across the country to drag former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to run in 2027.

This is coming amid the frenzied efforts by various power blocs to reposition their camps in good stead ahead of the general election.

The mobilization drive, which is in an embryonic stage, is principally under the aegis of Jonathan Support Group.

The rising wave of realignment by politicians and groups took a dizzying height following last Wednesday adoption of the African Democratic congress (ADC) by some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a preferred choice to field candidates for the next general election.

Jonathan lost his second-term bid to former President Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

Amidst the debate on whether Jonathan was eligible to run again or not, having taken the oath of office twice as president, the Federal High Court in Bayelsa had ruled in 2022 that he could still contest the presidential election.

The presiding judge, Justice Dashen, who gave the judgement, held that the former President’s right could not be stopped by any retroactive law.

He recalled that the 2007 election produced the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as president and not Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; stressing that Section 137 could not have a retroactive effect to stop him from contesting for presidency.

Justice Dashen ruled that there was no presidential election conducted in the country in 2010 and that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan could not be deemed to have been sworn into the office of the president that year.

The belief by the pro-Jonathan movement is that the former president, who conceded defeat to former President Muhammadu Buhari 10 years ago, still has the pedigree and goodwill among the political elite and grassroots, who they noted placed premium on national stability while in office.

Many other pressure groups are also said to be involved in intense meetings and consultations, as well as awareness tours to feel public in all the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Top on their lobbying strategy is what they described as Jonathan’s record as a unifier and a “leader who sacrificed personal ambition to protect Nigeria’s democracy.”

The director general of the group, Mr Abdullahi Dambatta, who shed light on the campaign in spite of the fact that the general election is about two years ahead expressed the hope that the former president would hearken to the call for him to run again.

He said: “We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider the clarion call by Nigerians and step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.

“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Jonathan Support Group believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians

“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.

“This appeal comes in light of the numerous challenges currently facing Nigeria, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry.”

Dambatta said there is an urgent need for a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity. Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it.

“Nigeria is currently at crossroads. We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress. We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.

“Former President Jonathan during his tenure demonstrated a commitment to democratic values and governance that prioritised the welfare of all citizens.

“Jonathan Support Group believes that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has the vision and experience necessary to lead Nigeria.

“His leadership style is one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture.

“Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our own borders,” he stated.

Other figures reportedly active in the coalition of support groups include some former Northern governors who had previously supported him in 2011, a handful of serving National Assembly members, and youth activists who argue that a return to Jonathan could stabilise national politics at a time of deepening economic hardship and rising insecurity.

Supporters of the movement argue that the former president’s return could help “heal the nation’s divisions,” pointing to increasing ethnic and religious polarization, economic hardship, and widespread disillusionment with the current political class.

“There is also a pragmatic angle: some Northern politicians reportedly see Jonathan as a bridge figure that, having served only one full term, remains eligible for a single term in office. This, in theory, would create space for a North-South power rotation in 2031 without a prolonged stay in power by the South,” a political analyst, Alhaji Aliyu Dandume stated.

The move could reshape existing alignments. Jonathan is formally a member of the PDP, but there have been persistent rumours about a new coalition party.

“Our expectation is that the Coalition adopts Jonathan as its candidate. He stands a better chance to defeat the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the polls than any of the aspirants due to his acceptability by Nigerians irrespective of region, tribe or religion”, another analyst, Mahmood Shema, said.

He explained that for Northern politicians hoping to preserve the long-standing informal zoning arrangement—where power rotates between North and South—this scenario could be appealing: Jonathan’s presidency would, by definition, end in 2031, allowing the North to legitimately reclaim the slot thereafter.

Supporters also underscored Jonathan’s perceived inclusive governance style, relative peace during much of his tenure (excluding the Boko Haram insurgency’s peak years), and his statesmanlike decision to accept defeat in 2015, which many credit with preventing large-scale post-election violence.

While Jonathan himself remains silent, the Northern Youth Alliance for Jonathan has launched a series of town hall meetings in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina, aimed at selling the idea to the next generation of voters.

Similarly, the Jonathan Solidarity Forum is also believed to have been involved in engagement with some southern political actors to reassure them that the push is not an attempt by the North to dominate but rather a pragmatic move to restore political equilibrium.

Politics

JUST IN: Ohabunwa Emerges Factional PDP BOT Chairman

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has elected Mao Ohabunwa as the chairman of its new board of trustees (BoT).

Ohabunwa was elected on Friday after a meeting at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister’s official residence in Abuja.

At the event, Isah Dansidi emerged as the secretary of the board.

Speaking during the inauguration, Abdulrahman said the move was to restore true values to the party and regain public trust.

The PDP chairman said: “We have come together not merely to inaugurate a new board of trustees but to renew our faith in the ideals that gave birth to this great political family — justice, fairness, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law”.

According to him, recent developments in the party, such as internal challenges and disputes, have set the party off from the very principles that formed it.

“We must also be honest with ourselves – the decay we are correcting today did not start yesterday. It began when we abandoned the principle of zoning before the 2015 elections. It began when we allowed ambition to override equity, and when we ignored the cries of reason from within our own ranks. The consequences of those decisions still haunt us today,” he said.

“I stand before you to assure every member of this great party that under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution.

“We will rebuild this party with transparency. We will respect court judgments and the rule of law. We will conduct our congresses with fairness and integrity. We will restore public trust and make the PDP once again the moral voice of Nigeria’s democracy.”

He vowed to reposition the party and bring peace.

At the meeting were PDP National Secretary, Samuel Anyawu, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, among others

Politics

INEC Receives PDP’s Notice Of Suspension Of Anyanwu, Others

Published

3 days ago

November 6, 2025

Uthman Abdulganiyu

INEC Rejects PDP NEC Meeting Notice Over Procedural Breach

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged receipt of the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suspending four of its top national officers, including the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

Others suspended are the National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.); the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN); and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Okechukwu Osuoha.

Naija News reports that the development was contained in a communiqué issued on Wednesday after an emergency meeting of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) held in Abuja.

According to the party, INEC was officially notified through a letter conveying the NWC’s resolution from its 608th emergency meeting, where the affected officers were sanctioned over alleged anti-party activities.

The letter, signed by the Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and other top officials, stated that the suspensions were made in line with Sections 57(3), 58(1)(a)(b)(c)(h) and 59(1) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

“The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution, suspends the following national officers from the party:

“Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary

“Hon. Umar Bature – National Organising Secretary

“Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) – National Legal Adviser

“Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser.

The above-named officers are consequently suspended for one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action,” the letter read.

The commission was also informed that during the period of suspension, the affected officials “shall cease to function in their respective capacities.”

In the interim, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. (Arc.) Setonji Koshoedo, has been directed to serve as Acting National Secretary, in accordance with Section 36(2) of the party’s constitution.

Similarly, the National Director of Legal Services and the National Director of Organisation have been assigned to oversee the operations of their respective departments until further notice.

The letter addressed to INEC read, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 608th emergency meeting considered the continued anti-party activities of some National Officers despite the formal reprimand issued by the Party.

The NWC, pursuant to the provisions of Section 57(3), 58 (1XaX(b\{c) and (h) and 59 (1) of the Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (POP) (As Amended in 2017) suspends the following National Officers from the Party. 1. Senator Samuel Anyanwu – National Secretary 2. Hon. Umar Bature – National Organizing Secretary 3. Barr. Kamaideen Ajibade – National Legal Adviser, 4. Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha – Deputy National Legal Adviser, The above-name National Officers are consequently suspended for a period of one month and referred to the National Disciplinary Committee for further action. During the period of the suspension, the affected officers cease to function in their respective capacities.

Pursuant to Section 36(2) of the POP Constitution, the Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Arc. Setonji Koshoedo shall forthwith act as the National Secretary while the National Director of Legal Services and National Director of Organization are hereby directed to oversee the activities of their respective Directorate.

“While thanking you for your usual cooperation, please accept thee assurances of the National Working Committee’s highest regards,” the PDP said in the letter signed by Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum National Chairman, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman, Hon. Arch. Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary and Hon. Yayari Ahmed, National Treasurer and Dr. Woyengikuro Ambrose Daniel, National Financial Secretary.

Politics

Jonathan Fingered Obama Over His 2015 Election Defeat

Published

6 days ago

November 3, 2025

The Daily Voice

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has alleged that ex-US President Barack Obama, plotted his defeat in 2015.

Jonathan made this allegation in his new book, ‘My Transition Hours’ due to launch on Tuesday.

He said Obama displayed an unusual level of bias during the 2015 elections, describing him as overbearing and ‘condescending’ in his message to Nigerians ahead of the 2015 general election.

According to Jonathan, “On March 23, 2015, President Obama himself took the unusual step of releasing a video message directly to Nigerians, all but telling them how to vote.”

Giving the details in the book, Jonathan said, “In that video, Obama urged Nigerians to open the ‘next chapter’ by their votes.

“Those who understood subliminal language deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition to form a new government.”

According to Premium Times, which obtained a copy of the book hours before its unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday, Jonathan had kept the book secret in order to avoid excerpts of it being published ahead of its formal launch.

DAILY POST recalls that Jonathan lost the 2015 elections to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president would lose reelection.

He assumed office in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua, getting his own mandate of four years at the 2011 presidential election.

“The message was so condescending, it was as if Nigerians did not know what to do and needed an Obama to direct them,” Jonathan said of the video message.

He lampooned Obama, who was American president from 2009 until 2017, for saying all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear but was reluctant to allow the Nigerian security forces drive Boko Haram insurgents away from the Nigerian territories they had been occupying in order to free Nigerian citizens there ahead of elections.

Jonathan also took a harsh aim at former US Secretary of State, John Kerry, saying the diplomat was nonchalant in his attitude towards his government, despite all efforts to make him understand that the decision to postpone election was in the overall interest of Nigeria.

“How can the U.S. Secretary of State know what is more important for Nigeria than Nigeria’s own government? How could they have expected us to conduct elections when Boko Haram controlled part of the Northeast and were killing and maiming Nigerians?

“Not even the assurance of the sanctity of May 29, 2015 handover date could calm them down. In Nigeria, the Constitution is very clear: No President can extend his tenure by one day,” Jonathan said.