The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that it invited former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Hausa, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, dismissed the reports as baseless, emphasizing that the party has not issued a presidential ticket to Jonathan or extended such an invitation.
Abdullahi clarified, “The claim that the PDP has issued its presidential ticket to former President Goodluck Jonathan or invited him to contest the 2027 presidential election is untrue. During an interview with a journalist, the issue of President Jonathan was raised in light of reports suggesting he was being urged to run for the presidency. I merely stated that he is legally eligible to contest, as he is a Nigerian with the right to seek election and still has one more term left under the law. However, this does not mean the PDP has extended any invitation or offer.”
He further explained that while Jonathan remains a respected member of the party, the PDP has not approached him about running for office, nor does it currently plan to. “PDP has done enough for Jonathan as a former president and a member of the party. We have not discussed this issue with him. Moreover, the party has 12 serving governors and numerous other prominent, capable members who are eligible and competent to vie for the presidency,” Abdullahi added.
The PDP spokesperson also referenced recent comments made by Jonathan’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, who dismissed the notion of her husband returning to the presidency. “His wife clearly stated that nothing would compel him to seek the presidency again, as he left nothing behind in Aso Villa to warrant a return. A ticket is given to someone who has expressed a genuine interest in running, not to someone uninterested.”
Abdullahi concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to supporting eligible and interested candidates within its fold for future elections.
