Politics
2027: PDP To Challenge Tinubu With Jonathan-Kwankwaso Ticket – Party Leader Reveals
Discussions are ongoing regarding the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) potentially fielding former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Since his defeat in the 2015 election, Jonathan has largely distanced himself from active politics. However, the PDP is currently engaging with him to consider a return as the party’s presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming general election.
Multiple reports have also confirmed that party leaders are in discussions with former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to woo him back to the PDP and possibly run alongside Jonathan.
BBC quoted sources as saying, both officially and through the efforts of some of its leaders — including governors — moves were being made to persuade them to accept the offer.
Analysts believe this move may also be intended to weaken potential alliances among other political parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Malam Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, who was part of the meeting, told BBC that the former President has shown interest in honoring the party’s request.
According to Abdullahi, the push to draft Jonathan back into the race is in response to a groundswell of public sentiment calling for his return.
He said Nigerians are beginning to acknowledge the value of Jonathan’s leadership and are now seeking his return to correct the perceived mistakes of the past.
“When he (Jonathan) was in power, people believed in his capacity and leadership style. Since he remains a member of the PDP, we believe he should contest again. Nigerians have realised that what happened in the past wasn’t entirely his fault. They are now seeking his forgiveness and hoping he will return to lead them. He is a compassionate man,” Abdullahi told the BBC.
“Since we are loyal to the Nigerian people and want to act in their best interest, we have listened to their calls and are taking steps in that direction.”
Sources revealed to the BBC that some senior PDP leaders met with Jonathan in the Gambia last week in a fresh effort to convince him to run in the 2027 presidential election against President Tinubu.
However, he said while the former President has shown interest in their proposal but has set s certain conditions for his return.
One of the conditions Jonathan raised, according to Abdullahi, was clarification on vhether he would be required to compete in party primaries or if he would be presented as a consensus candidate.
He is reportedly consulting with close allies before making a final decision.
Since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, many Nigerians, articularly from the North, have been calling for Jonathan’s return, citing h7e hardship faced under subsequent governments.
Many view Jonathan as a more sympathetic and measured leader compared to those who followed him.
Analysts suggest the PDP’s interest in Jonathan is partly influenced by zoning considerations, as tne presidency is expected to return to the South based on political consensus.
Professor Abubakar Kari of the University of Abuja believes that if Jonathan accepts to run and is nominated without opposition- paired with a running mate from Northern Nigeria it would significantly reshape the 2027 political landscape.
If Goodluck contests, M will breathe new life into the PDP, which has been largely dormant. His candidacy could disrupt current coalition plans, particularly those who see themselves as the driving force of the opposition,” Professor Kari noted.
“His calm demeanor and his decision *O concede defeat and peacefully hand over power in 2015 have further enhanced his public image.”
He further added that another factor working in Jonathan’s favor is that he is constitutionally limited to serving only one term.
This could make his candidacy more appealing, especially to the North, with the expectation that power would return to the region after his tenure.
The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Kaduna State, Isa Ashiru, on Tuesday announced a former three-term member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Irmiya Kantiok, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election.
Ashiru, in a statement announcing the decision on Wednesday, described Kantiok as a seasoned legal practitioner and experienced legislator whose wealth of experience would strengthen the party’s quest to provide purposeful leadership for Kaduna State.
Kantiok represented Zonkwa Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly for three consecutive terms.
Announcing his choice, Ashiru said, “Today, I proudly announce Barrister Irmiya Ishaku Kantiok as my running mate for the 2027 gubernatorial race under our great party, the African Democratic Congress .”
He described Kantiok as a leader whose professional and political credentials align with the aspirations of the party and the people of Kaduna State.
“A battle-tested legal titan and former Kaduna State House of Assembly member for three terms representing Zonkwa Constituency, Barrister Ishaku Kantiok embodies the intellect, integrity and resilience Kaduna State deserves at this time of its development,” Ashiru said.
The ADC candidate noted that Kantiok’s accomplishments in the legal profession and legislature reflected his dedication to justice, accountability and inclusive governance.
“His courtroom victories and legislative service reflect an unyielding commitment to justice, good governance and equitable development, as well as fighting for the people even amid electoral storms that tested true character,” he added.
Ashiru said their joint ticket would focus on uniting the state, strengthening institutions and accelerating development across all three senatorial districts.
“Together, we will forge a united Kaduna State where the rule of law reigns, youths thrive, infrastructure expands, and every zone rises. This is a ticket of experience, competence and vision for a greater and more prosperous Kaduna State,” he said.
He called on residents of the state and supporters of the ADC to rally behind the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election, expressing confidence that the party’s agenda would deliver inclusive governance, sustainable development and renewed hope for the people of Kaduna State.
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will keep his promise to spend only one term in office if elected President in 2027.
Kwankwaso spoke during an interview on News Central’s 60 Minutes with Mr Kay, where he was asked about Obi’s commitment to a single four-year tenure and the political arrangement within the NDC coalition.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi, noting that the former Anambra State governor had made the commitment publicly.
“I personally believe Peter Obi is a gentleman and I have every reason to trust him, especially that he said it to the hearing of everybody. Nobody should have any reason to doubt him,” Kwankwaso said.
Kwankwaso explained that the coalition’s power-sharing understanding was founded on mutual trust among its members and an agreement on how political power should be rotated.
He argued that the arrangement would allow the southern part of the country to complete what the coalition considers an eight-year presidential cycle before power shifts.
“We believe the southern part of the country should complete its second term and, with that, and to the hearing of everybody in this country, I don’t believe any gentleman would want to renege, would want to say no or change his or her mind,” he stated.
Kwankwaso maintained that Obi’s one-term commitment was not merely a personal declaration but formed part of the broader understanding among members of the political alliance.
The NDC vice-presidential candidate also said the coalition had gone beyond discussions about individuals and political blocs by developing a common governance programme.
According to him, the alliance has drawn up short-, medium- and long-term plans that would guide the administration if the party wins the 2027 presidential election.
“More importantly, we have collectively gotten a short-term, medium-term and, of course, long-term plan for this country. It does not matter whether it is him from the Obidient side, or my humble self from the Kwankwasiyya side or another side, we believe we have an agenda,” he said.
He added that the coalition’s priority was to ensure that subsequent leaders remained committed to the agreed programme irrespective of their political background or support base.
“That agenda, we will as much as possible ensure that whoever comes, maybe Peter, maybe me or any other person, would stick to that programme,” he added.
Kwankwaso stressed that continuity of the coalition’s policies would remain important beyond the tenure of any individual President, insisting that the NDC’s objective was to build a governance framework capable of surviving changes in leadership.
The immediate past Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has dismissed reports that he is planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Allied People’s Movement (APM) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Naija News reports that Adelabu made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan, Oyo State, by his media aide, Femi Awogboro.
The statement followed reports alleging that Adelabu’s personal assistant, Ajiboye Akande, had held talks with members of the APM as part of moves to facilitate the former minister’s defection.
Reacting to the speculation, Adelabu described the claim as false and unfounded, insisting that neither he nor his aide was involved in any plan to leave the ruling party.
“He remains a committed member of the APC and continues to hold the President and National Leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the highest regard as his political mentor,” the statement said.
The former minister also reaffirmed his confidence in the APC leadership and pledged to abide by legitimate decisions taken by the party.
It added, “Chief Adelabu believes in the party, respects its leadership, and remains committed to the democratic process. Given his well-known decency and integrity in politics, he is always prepared to respect the legitimate decisions of the party’s national leadership.”
Adelabu urged members of the public and his supporters to disregard the defection reports, describing them as an attempt to create unnecessary political confusion.
-Source: Politics Nigeria
2027: ADC Gov Candidate Announces Top Ex-Lawmaker as Running Mate
2027 Presidency: Kwankwaso Breaks Silence on Peter Obi’s Controversial One-Term Commitment
REVEALED: Five Governors Set to Convert Local Security Groups Into State Police
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
Tech1 day agoBREAKING: Painful, APC Chairman Bereaved
-
Politics1 day ago2027 Election: Tinubu’s Ex-Minister Adelabu Speaks On Dumping APC
-
Business1 day agoUK Lists 10 Requirements Nigerians Need To Secure Work Visa
-
Business5 hours agoTop 10 Richest Yoruba Billionaires: South West Wealthiest Entrepreneurs, Key Factors Behind Their Wealth
-
News1 day agoVoter Registration Ends Sunday, INEC Reminds Nigerians
-
News19 hours agoSHOCKER! Sheikh Gumi Mentions Two Top Nigerian Leaders Who Visited Militants
-
Business8 hours agoFG Unveils Employment Portal, Targets 26,961 Nigerians for New Jobs
-
Politics9 minutes ago2027: ADC Gov Candidate Announces Top Ex-Lawmaker as Running Mate