2027 Presidency: Jerry Gana Declares Goodluck Jonathan Will Run on PDP Ticket

 

In a dramatic twist that could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape, former Minister of Information and National Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan will contest the 2027 presidential election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking at the PDP’s Niger State Congress in Minna over the weekend, Gana confidently told party members and journalists that the time was ripe for Jonathan to return to Aso Rock. According to him, Nigerians have now tasted leadership under two presidents since Jonathan left office in 2015 and, in his words, “the difference is very clear.”

“Back in 2015, Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him, another President ruled for eight years, and now another has ruled for two years. Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear,” Gana told cheering party supporters.

“I can confirm that Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as a PDP candidate, and we should be prepared to vote for him to return as President again,” he added.

For many in the crowd, the statement felt less like a prediction and more like a promise. Gana, who has remained a respected voice within the PDP, argued that Jonathan’s calm leadership style, democratic credentials, and experience in handling national crises remain unmatched in today’s political environment.

Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s first university-educated leader from the Niger Delta, served as President from 2010 to 2015. He stepped into office after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2010 and later won his own term in 2011. His presidency ended in 2015 when he lost to Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan’s exit was widely praised across the globe for its peaceful nature, as he famously called Buhari to concede defeat before final results were announced. His words at the time — “my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian” — cemented his reputation as a statesman.

But today, as Nigeria grapples with insecurity, economic hardship, and growing disillusionment with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some voices within the PDP and beyond are calling for his return.

For them, Jonathan represents stability, humility, and a chance to rebuild national trust.

The Niger State Congress where Gana made his remarks also produced new party leadership. Aliyu Halidu was elected chairman of the PDP in Niger State, while Khadi Kuta returned as secretary, and Mrs. Salome Ndakosu was chosen as the state woman leader.

In his acceptance speech, Halidu called for unity, urging PDP members to set aside personal differences and work for the greater goal of reclaiming power in 2027. “The people are waiting for us. They are tired of excuses and suffering. We must give them a government that listens, cares, and delivers,” he said.

At the same event, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State echoed the same confidence. He assured the gathering that the PDP was being “reenergized” at the grassroots and would be ready to challenge the APC strongly in 2027.

While Gana’s declaration electrified the PDP base, questions still remain about Jonathan’s eligibility. Constitutional debates have lingered for years over whether Jonathan, having served out Yar’Adua’s term and his own elected term, can contest again.

In 2022, however, a Federal High Court in Yenagoa ruled that Jonathan was indeed eligible to run, arguing that amendments to the constitution limiting presidential terms could not be applied retroactively. This ruling has emboldened his supporters, though legal analysts caution that the issue could resurface if he officially declares.

Beyond legal hurdles, Jonathan would also face the task of uniting the PDP, which has been rocked by factional battles in recent years. The South-South zone, his home base, is reportedly divided on whether to back his return or support younger candidates within the party.

Predictably, Gana’s pronouncement has stirred sharp reactions. In Adamawa State, the ruling APC dismissed the idea of Jonathan’s return, instead taking aim at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, another PDP heavyweight, for what they called “politically motivated” comments on recent insecurity.

Within the PDP, however, Jonathan’s potential comeback has split opinion. Some see him as the only unifying figure capable of bridging Nigeria’s polarized politics, while others argue the party needs fresh leadership to inspire younger voters.

On social media, the news sparked heated debate. Supporters flooded timelines with nostalgia for Jonathan’s era, describing it as “a better time.” Critics, however, questioned whether bringing back a former president almost a decade after leaving power reflects political progress or a recycling of old leaders.

So far, Jonathan himself has remained silent. His aides have not confirmed Gana’s statement, and no formal declaration has come from his office. His wife, Patience Jonathan, has in the past suggested he had no interest in contesting again, but political watchers note that circumstances often change quickly in Nigeria’s fluid political scene.

For now, the PDP appears to be laying the groundwork for 2027, testing the waters with Jonathan’s name as a possible rallying point. Whether he ultimately runs may depend on consultations within the party, pressure from his supporters, and the shifting dynamics of Nigeria’s political chessboard.

But one thing is clear: the idea of Jonathan’s return has re-ignited a national conversation. For some, it is a welcome hope; for others, it is a troubling reminder of Nigeria’s struggle to move beyond familiar faces.

Jerry Gana’s declaration may not yet be an official announcement, but it has thrown the 2027 race wide open. By invoking Jonathan’s name, the PDP has touched a nerve — one that speaks to nostalgia, frustration, and the search for a credible alternative.

Whether Jonathan takes up the challenge or not, his presence will continue to loom over Nigeria’s politics as the country edges toward yet another high-stakes election.