The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dissociated itself from a statement credited to former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana, suggesting that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the party.
Gana had reportedly declared that Jonathan was returning to the political scene to challenge and defeat President Bola Tinubu in 2027, saying: “I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and you will vote for him to return as president again.”
However, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, while addressing journalists in Abuja on Monday, said Gana’s comments did not represent the official position of the party.
“Professor Jerry Gana does not speak for the PDP. I also don’t speak for Professor Jerry Gana. People can express their opinion, but I want to emphasise that Jonathan has never declared any intention to contest,” Ologunagba stated.
He noted that Jonathan remains a member of the PDP but insisted the former president has not made his political plans public. The spokesman stressed that the party has many competent members, especially governors whose track records qualify them for national leadership.
“Our party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors’ level, who have done exceedingly well. Their performances show capacity, which is the DNA of the PDP,” Ologunagba said.
The clarification comes amid rising speculations that Jonathan, who governed from 2010 to 2015, may stage a comeback in 2027. Some PDP leaders, including Gana, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Senator Abba Moro, have openly canvassed support for Jonathan’s return.
The Presidency had earlier dismissed Gana’s remarks as “absurd,” alleging that some PDP figures were attempting to drag Jonathan into the race for selfish political, religious, and ethnic interests.
Jonathan, who is constitutionally eligible to contest for one more term, has remained silent on the matter despite attending a recent African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition meeting in Abuja, further fueling speculation about his next political move.
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