Former President Goodluck Jonathan is emerging as a serious contender for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, as a political movement and influential voices within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) push for his return to power to address the country’s deepening economic and political crises.

 

A newly formed political coalition, Bring Back Our Goodluck (BBOG), led by Dr. Grema Kyari, has called on Jonathan to contest, describing him as a stabilizing force with a track record of national unity and economic affordability. Speaking in Maiduguri, BBOG members said Nigeria under Jonathan was more secure and prosperous, especially for ordinary citizens.

 

“The North was misled in 2015 by orchestrated propaganda and foreign-backed misinformation campaigns. We now realize the value of Jonathan’s leadership,” Kyari said, offering a public apology on behalf of northern stakeholders and pledging full support if Jonathan agrees to run.

 

Inside the PDP, efforts to draft Jonathan are reportedly intensifying. Some party leaders are advocating for him to be given an automatic presidential ticket in 2027, bypassing primaries to rally the party behind a single, influential figure.

 

The PDP’s National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, called Jonathan the “national leader of the party,” asserting that his return could reshape Nigeria’s political landscape and serve as a unifying force for the opposition.

 

Sources confirm that Jonathan has initiated consultations across the political spectrum, including a closed-door meeting with former military president Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, aimed at building cross-regional alliances ahead of a formal declaration.

Jonathan’s eligibility to run remains a subject of constitutional debate. A 2018 amendment to the Nigerian Constitution bars anyone sworn in twice as president from seeking re-election. However, a 2022 court ruling clarified that the law does not apply retroactively, effectively affirming Jonathan’s right to contest for one more term.

As political tensions rise ahead of 2027, electoral experts are emphasizing the need for robust voter education, polling unit monitoring, and the use of technology to track and verify election results in real-time. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant, report any irregularities, and support independent electoral observers to guarantee a transparent process.

Jonathan’s potential return is already polarizing political analysts. Supporters say he represents competence and compassion, but critics argue his candidacy could split the southern vote, possibly giving incumbent President Bola Tinubu a strategic advantage.

 

Still, as consultations deepen and the movement gains momentum, Jonathan’s 2027 run — if confirmed — may reshape the political terrain and set the stage for a high-stakes showdown in what could be one of Nigeria’s most dramatic elections in recent history.