The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that it extended an invitation to former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, clarified these reports during an interview with BBC Hausa, stating that the party has not allocated its presidential ticket to Jonathan.
He indicated that suggestions that the PDP has ceded its presidential ticket to the former President or invited him to participate in the 2027 election are unfounded.
During the interview, Abdullahi explained that the conversation briefly touched on President Jonathan when a journalist inquired about the party's stance, particularly in light of reports suggesting he may be encouraged to run for the presidency.
Abdullahi emphasized that while Jonathan remains eligible to contest the election under being a Nigerian citizen with legal rights to do so, and still has one term remaining, there has been no initiative from the PDP to pursue his candidacy.
Furthermore, Abdullahi remarked that the party has made significant contributions during Jonathan’s tenure, suggesting that there would be no overtures made to entice him back into the presidential race. He pointed out that the party leadership has not yet engaged in discussions with Jonathan regarding the potential candidacy and that numerous eligible and capable individuals, including 12 governors and other prominent politicians within the party, are available to contest the presidential election.
He also recalled recent statements made by Dame Patience Jonathan, the former president's wife, asserting that her husband has no intentions of seeking the presidency again, emphasizing that he has neither left any unresolved matters in the Presidential Villa nor any reason to believe he would return to contest for the position.