PDP Denies Inviting Jonathan to Contest 2027 Presidential Election

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed reports claiming it invited former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, debunked the reports in an interview with BBC Hausa, clarifying that the PDP has not offered its presidential ticket to Jonathan nor invited him to run.

“What happened is this: I had an interview with a journalist where we discussed some issues.

But in the course of the interview, he mentioned President Jonathan, asking about our opinion of him, because there are reports that he is being urged to run for the presidency,” Abdullahi explained.

He noted that his response was misinterpreted, adding that he merely stated Jonathan remains eligible to contest because he is a Nigerian citizen with the constitutional right to seek office and still has one term left.

“There is nothing wrong with Jonathan contesting the presidential election because he is eligible under the law,” Abdullahi said.

He emphasized that the PDP had already done much for Jonathan as a party member and there was no need to woo him to contest under its platform.

Abdullahi also clarified that the party leadership has not held any discussions with Jonathan regarding the 2027 elections.

He highlighted that the PDP boasts 12 governors and several other prominent politicians who are eligible and capable of contesting the presidency.

Referencing comments by Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Abdullahi said: “It wasn’t long ago that she said nothing would make her husband run for the presidency.

She stressed that he didn’t leave behind or forget anything in the Presidential Villa for people to assume he would return to contest.”

The PDP reiterated its stance that reports suggesting it had ceded its presidential ticket to Jonathan were false and misleading.