THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is working behind the scenes to bring former President Goodluck Jonathan back into the race for the 2027 presidential election, in case Peter Obi does not return to the party.
According to Guardian, discussions about this plan began after some PDP leaders became unsure about Obi’s next political move.
A group of influential party members has reportedly been given the task of convincing Jonathan to accept an automatic ticket.
These efforts gained momentum following internal concerns about the state of the Labour Party and its coalition, which some PDP members view as too unstable to rely on.
Former Information Minister Jerry Gana recently said on national television that although Obi was a strong contender in the 2023 election under the Labour Party, PDP could still present a stronger candidate.
He also said that Obi would perform better if he returns to the PDP, especially because of the party’s strong base in Northern Nigeria.
However, some PDP chieftains are openly pushing for Jonathan’s return.
Their main reason is that he would only be allowed to serve one term, making him a safer option for long-term party planning.
They fear that Obi’s promise to serve just one term might not hold, and prefer someone they believe will not leave room for uncertainty.
A source within the PDP’s Board of Trustees, who asked not to be named, revealed that many party leaders from the North want Jonathan to come back and complete what they view as his second term.
According to him, it is not that Obi has been completely ruled out, but the party wants a backup plan that would prevent confusion or weakness during the election season.
Private talks about Jonathan’s possible return were said to have taken place recently in The Gambia, where party bigwigs met to discuss strategy, funding, and the future of the PDP.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has previously stated that he would not run for president in 2027 if Jonathan agrees to join the race.
He made this clear last year while addressing a group urging him to contest.
According to him, as long as his former boss is interested, he would fully support him and step aside.
On Obi’s part, some of his close supporters say there is no need for him to go back to PDP in its current state.
One of them, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, said the main opposition party is still facing internal challenges and needs to recover first.
He said the party should wait until after its upcoming elective convention in November before any serious talks about Obi’s return can be considered.