ABUJA, Nigeria — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering granting former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic presidential ticket for the 2027 general election—if he returns fully to the party and re-engages in active political leadership, a top official of the party has revealed.
Speaking in an exclusive interview in Abuja, Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, disclosed that the party is in ongoing consultations with Jonathan and his associates as part of a broader repositioning strategy.
“Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.
“Aside from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment?”
When pressed on whether Jonathan could be offered an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded without hesitation: “For me, that’s what I firmly stand for. You can quote me anywhere—I want him to come. An automatic ticket for him, as it stands now. Because we must salvage both this party and the nation.”
The proposal, if formalised, could dramatically reshape the political landscape heading into 2027.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has largely stayed out of partisan politics since leaving office but remains a powerful figure both within the PDP and across Africa.
Woyengikuro linked the push to bring back Jonathan to what he described as “Nigeria’s worsening political and economic challenges.”
“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage the country—for our generation and for those to come. When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out,” he said.
The PDP chieftain also expressed admiration for Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and another potential unifying force within the party.
“These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he said.
Jonathan has not publicly commented on the PDP’s internal moves, nor has he formally declared interest in the 2027 race.
