Jonathan 2027 presidential bid faces pushback as PDP disowns Gana’s remarks and Presidency labels his past record as disastrous and discredited
Jonathan 2027 presidential bid has sparked political controversy, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) firmly distanced itself from claims made by Professor Jerry Gana that the former president would be its flagbearer in the upcoming 2027 general election.
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Speaking in Minna at a state PDP congress, Gana confidently declared that Nigerians were calling for the return of Goodluck Jonathan and even confirmed he would run again under the party’s platform.
Citing disappointment with the Buhari and Tinubu administrations, Gana said the country was ready to bring Jonathan back to Aso Rock.
However, the PDP leadership was quick to reject Gana’s statement.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, stated that Gana had no mandate to speak for the party, and that the party’s focus remained on its national convention—not on presumptive presidential candidates.
“Professor Jerry Gana doesn’t speak for the PDP,” Ologunagba said. “People are entitled to personal opinions, but the PDP has not endorsed Jonathan or anyone else for 2027.”
He added that the party had a pool of competent leaders, particularly state governors, who had demonstrated strong governance and could easily contest for the presidency when the time came.
In a swift response, the Presidency also weighed in on the Jonathan 2027 presidential bid, branding it a “desperate and absurd” attempt by the PDP to revive what it described as a failed legacy.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued a sharply worded statement Monday evening, warning that while Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest, his six-year tenure remains one of “economic ruin” and “poor governance.”
“Jonathan will have his date in the court of the land and with the Nigerian people,” Onanuga said.
“He must explain whether he truly has anything new to offer after being voted out for a disastrous record in 2015.”
Onanuga also questioned whether Jonathan could overcome constitutional hurdles tied to his previous term and cautioned against attempts to manipulate public memory with sentiment.
Although Jonathan remains a member of the PDP, the party appears eager to avoid internal distractions ahead of its convention and broader electoral planning.
The comments from both Ologunagba and the Presidency indicate that the battle for 2027 has begun far earlier than expected—with emotions, legacy, and loyalty all on the table.
Also read: Goodluck Jonathan Warns of Africa’s Failing Democracies
While Jonathan 2027 presidential bid discussions may ignite nostalgia among some of his supporters, the sharp political reactions suggest his path back to power would be anything but straightforward.
