‎2027: Jonathan Reportedly Secures PDP Nomination Forms, Awaits Court Verdict on Eligibility

2027: Jonathan Reportedly Secures PDP Nomination Forms, Awaits Court Verdict on Eligibility
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‎E-ISSN:2354-4481
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‎By Jeff Unaegbu
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‎Former President Goodluck Jonathan may still enter the 2027 presidential race despite earlier indications that he intended to remain outside active frontline politics.
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‎According to emerging political developments, the former president has reportedly obtained Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party through close political associates, a move seen by insiders as part of preliminary consultations ahead of a possible presidential comeback.
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‎Sources familiar with the development disclosed that the forms were obtained from the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP after the faction was reportedly restored by the party’s Board of Trustees following a recent Supreme Court judgement.
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‎A source close to Jonathan revealed that the former president’s final decision on whether to formally join the race would depend largely on the outcome of an ongoing legal dispute concerning his constitutional eligibility to seek another term in office.
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‎At the centre of the legal debate is whether Jonathan’s completion of the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua’s tenure, following his death in 2010, alongside his subsequent election victory in 2011, constitutes two terms under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on presidential tenure.
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‎Supporters of the former president are said to maintain that Jonathan only secured one electoral mandate in his own right and therefore remains constitutionally qualified to contest another presidential election.
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‎A source familiar with the consultations stated that Jonathan would only proceed with the ambition if the court ruled in favour of his interpretation of the law.
‎“If the judgment is favourable, he may formally declare for the race. Otherwise, the plan could be dropped entirely,” the source reportedly said.
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‎The latest development comes amid growing uncertainty within opposition circles ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly within the PDP where internal divisions and leadership disagreements continue to influence political calculations and alliance-building.
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‎Jonathan’s possible return is also expected to reshape ongoing political alignments among opposition leaders, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who, according to sources, recently held a private meeting with the former president.
‎Political insiders suggested that Obi may not have fully appreciated the seriousness of Jonathan’s consultations after reportedly leaving the meeting with the impression that the former president had no immediate presidential ambition.
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‎However, Jonathan’s potential re-entry into the race is already generating mixed reactions within opposition camps, with some political stakeholders arguing that his emergence could ultimately strengthen the position of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by further dividing opposition votes ahead of the 2027 elections.
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‎Although there is no direct evidence linking Jonathan to the ruling camp, speculation surrounding possible political implications of his return has continued to dominate political discussions and social media conversations, especially amid concerns over the opposition’s inability to unite behind a single presidential candidate.
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‎Sources also claimed that the former president is receiving encouragement from influential northern political interests, particularly from the North-West geopolitical zone. However, the reported project is said to be facing resistance or lukewarm support from some influential figures within his South-South political base.
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‎Among those reportedly not supporting the move are Nyesom Wike and former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson.
‎There are also claims that former First Lady Patience Jonathan has distanced herself from conversations surrounding a possible return bid, amid her perceived closeness to the political camp of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
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‎Some former aides who served closely with Jonathan during his administration are also reportedly not involved in the emerging political structure allegedly being assembled ahead of the 2027 elections.
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‎A political analyst who spoke anonymously said that a favourable court ruling for Jonathan could significantly alter the opposition landscape and trigger fresh political realignments across party lines.
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‎Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Jonathan’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him had not been responded to as of the time of filing the report.
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