A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s 2023 House of Representatives candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency, Austin Okai, has dismissed speculations of a possible presidential comeback by former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying the former leader has “lost the chance” and should focus on preserving his integrity.

 

Speaking in an interview with Daily Post, the Kogi-born political activist argued that the PDP, in its current state, lacks the structure to deliver victory for Jonathan or any other candidate in the 2027 general elections.

 

“It is not about his (Jonathan’s) decision to return. Elections are more of structures… Unless otherwise, the current PDP cannot win any election. Among all the PDP governors, the only person I know that supports Jonathan is Bala Mohammed — and how influential is he?” Okai said.

 

According to him, many of Jonathan’s former allies, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have shifted allegiance to President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He also alleged that the PDP had been infiltrated by figures “on the APC payroll,” making it difficult to mount a credible challenge.

 

Okai stressed that defeating Tinubu in 2027 would only be possible if all opposition forces unite behind a single candidate — similar to the coalition strategy that brought the APC to power in 2015.

 

“The opposition can only beat Tinubu when all opposition figures come together under one umbrella… If Atiku contests, Obi contests, Kwankwaso, Jonathan, Amaechi contest, it’s a waste of time,” he warned.

 

On the persistent narrative that “the North” determines presidential outcomes, Okai rejected the idea, saying the region is deeply divided. “The masses no longer believe in the elites. They have the population, but how effective is it?” he asked.

 

While defending former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s right to contest again, Okai maintained that elections should be decided at the polling units, not by demands for any aspirant to “step aside.”

 

He also cautioned the government against using the Cybercrime Act to intimidate journalists and activists, calling for full respect for the Freedom of Information Act.

 

“In a democratic state like Nigeria, you can’t suppress the voices of the opposition… The government should also respect the freedom of information act,” he said.