The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering ex-President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic ticket to contest the 2027 presidential election, if he returns to the party and plays a more active political role.
This was disclosed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, in an interview in Abuja.
Woyengikuro emphasised Jonathan’s continued influence within the party and the nation’s politics, describing him as the PDP’s national leader.
“Is he not the best candidate for us at this moment? He is not just a former president; he is the leader of the party now. Aside from former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the next person in line is him. Goodluck Jonathan is the national leader of this party,” Woyengikuro said.
He confirmed that the PDP had been consulting with Jonathan and his associates, aiming to bring him back into the party’s mainstream leadership as part of a larger strategy to reposition the party and address Nigeria’s growing political and economic challenges.
“Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage the country — for our generation and for those to come,” Woyengikuro added.
He said: “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”
When asked directly if the party would consider granting Jonathan an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded: “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.”
He further asserted that Jonathan’s return would significantly reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Woyengikuro also praised Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, calling him a “vibrant leader” and a strong candidate from the South, capable of bridging Nigeria’s generational divide.
“These are the two main individuals I stand for: Goodluck Jonathan and Seyi Makinde,” he concluded.
The PDP is expected to intensify its internal consultations in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. [Vanguard]