Jonathan 2027: Former President Tipped for Comeback Amid Legal Debate and Political Intrigue

ABUJA, Nigeria’s political landscape is heating up ahead of the 2027 general elections, as fresh indications emerge that former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan may return to the political arena to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A close ally of the former president, who spoke to Vanguard, confirmed that Jonathan has accepted a growing push from key leaders within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to recontest the presidency, amid rising public discontent over poverty, hardship, and economic stagnation.

The ally revealed that efforts to draft Jonathan into the 2027 race have gained traction, with significant support from influential political elders and stakeholders who believe his return could help restore stability to the nation.

“The move to bring Jonathan back is being championed by those who credit his administration with stabilising the economy and maintaining national unity during turbulent times,” the source said.



Meetings with Key Northern Leaders

Jonathan has reportedly begun high-level consultations with political leaders across the country, including a private meeting with former military president General Ibrahim Babangida at his Minna residence last weekend. While the outcome of that meeting remains undisclosed, sources say the idea of a one-term presidency for Jonathan is being well received in the North, as it could create a smoother power rotation back to the region in 2031.

Currently, the former president is said to be in the South-South, meeting critical stakeholders and consolidating his base in the region, particularly in Rivers and Bayelsa States.

PDP Intensifies Lobbying Efforts

The PDP has intensified efforts to bring Jonathan back into active politics. According to reports monitored from BBC Hausa, top PDP governors and leaders have approached Jonathan to lead the party’s charge against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, said there was a groundswell of support from Nigerians who now regret not re-electing Jonathan in 2015.

“People are apologising to him. They want him back because they’ve seen the difference,” Abdullahi said.
“Jonathan is still a member of our party, and as a listening party, we are responding to the call of Nigerians.”



Talks of Automatic Ticket and Internal Support

The PDP’s National Financial Secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, went a step further by suggesting the party may offer Jonathan an automatic ticket.

“For me, it should be an automatic ticket. He is the national leader of this party. If he returns, the political dynamics of 2027 will shift instantly,” he said.



Woyengikuro also named Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as another strong contender, but insisted Jonathan remained the most viable option for the presidency, especially if zoning remains in favour of the South.

Legal Uncertainty Over Eligibility

Jonathan’s potential return, however, has triggered a fresh round of legal debate over his eligibility to contest.

The controversy stems from a 2018 constitutional amendment that bars any individual who has been sworn in as president or governor more than twice from contesting again. Critics argue this applies to Jonathan, who first assumed the presidency in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, before being elected in 2011.

Section 137(3) of the Nigerian Constitution states:

“A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”



However, many legal experts argue that the amendment cannot apply retroactively.

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dayo Akinlaja, believes Jonathan remains eligible, since the amendment came into force in 2018, three years after Jonathan left office.

“The amendment cannot operate retrospectively,” he said. “Jonathan’s initial swearing-in in 2010 was based on constitutional necessity, not a direct election.”



This position was supported by another lawyer, Elekwachi Nnabuihe, who argued that since Jonathan was only elected once (in 2011), he remains qualified under Section 137(1)(b), which bars individuals elected twice, not those who assumed office under special circumstances.

But human rights lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, holds a different view, warning that any attempt by Jonathan to contest could raise constitutional challenges about exceeding the eight-year limit for presidential tenures.

“If Jonathan wins in 2027, he would exceed the eight years allowed by the Constitution, and that could spark a constitutional crisis,” Jideobi said, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Marwa v. Nyako (2012), which emphasised strict adherence to tenure limits.



Bode George: Jonathan the Most Viable PDP Candidate

Former PDP Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George, has also thrown his weight behind Jonathan’s possible candidacy, describing him as the party’s most marketable figure.

> “He’s the easiest to sell. People now realise the value of his administration,” George said.
“His previous swearing-in cannot count against him because it was under the Doctrine of Necessity, not a conventional election.”



What Lies Ahead

While the PDP’s push to bring Jonathan back gains momentum, political observers remain cautious. The former president has yet to make an official declaration, but mounting pressure from party loyalists, elder statesmen, and sections of the public suggest the 2027 race could be one of the most dramatic in Nigeria’s democratic history.

With legal questions still lingering and consultations ongoing, the nation waits to see whether Jonathan will once again step into the ring, this time, as a man with unfinished business.