Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains alive, strong, and resilient, dismissing speculations in some sections of the media about the party’s decline.

 

Dr. Jonathan made the assertion while receiving members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP, led by the National Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, during a high-level consultative meeting at his private office in Abuja on Tuesday evening, January 6, 2026.

 

The former President reaffirmed that the PDP remains a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s democracy, describing it as the only surviving original political party since 1998. According to him, the party’s longevity underscores its institutional strength and historical relevance in the country’s democratic journey.

 

“The PDP, being the only surviving original political party since 1998, has been a critical contributor to our democracy since 1999,” Jonathan said. “I have been a beneficiary of this party, which gave me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and President. I am grateful to the party and will continue to contribute my quota because I feel deeply indebted to it.”

 

He noted that despite current internal challenges, the PDP possesses the resilience and structure required to overcome its difficulties, stressing that the party is more than a political platform but a national institution. Jonathan also urged the party’s leadership to prioritize national interest and institutional development above personal considerations, emphasizing that strong political parties are essential for democratic stability and good governance.

 

The meeting, according to party sources, focused on ongoing reconciliation efforts and strategic repositioning of the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Earlier in his remarks, Dr. Turaki thanked the former President for his fatherly guidance and consistent loyalty to the PDP. He assured Jonathan that the current NWC is committed to a comprehensive “Rebirth Agenda” aimed at rebuilding, unifying, and strengthening the party.

 

“We came to seek your guidance and to brief you on the prospects and challenges before the party,” Turaki said. “Our goal is to return power to the people and reposition the PDP as the party of the majority of Nigerians. We are reaching out to aggrieved members because a united PDP remains the most viable platform for a balanced and prosperous Nigeria.”

 

Members of the delegation included former Niger State Governor, H.E. Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana; former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi (rtd); Hajiya Zainab Maina; Chief Mike Oghiadome; former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN; and other members of the National Working Committee.