Abuja was awash with political intrigue on Monday as campaign posters of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan surfaced at the Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), coinciding with the party’s 102nd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
The posters, boldly carrying the message “We Want Goodluck Jonathan,” were strategically plastered at the entrance of the secretariat, fuelling speculations about a possible comeback bid by the former president.
Backdrop of PDP Crisis
The NEC meeting, held amid internal crises within the PDP, was expected to focus on critical decisions, including ratification of the zoning formula, approval of the convention timetable slated for November, and deliberations on disciplinary measures.
Insiders say the sudden appearance of Jonathan’s posters is tied to the zoning debate—whether the party’s 2027 presidential ticket should be ceded to the South or North.
Lamido: Jonathan is PDP’s Strongest Option
The development comes weeks after former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, described Jonathan as the party’s best chance in the next election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today in August, Lamido urged the PDP to woo Jonathan back into the race.
“I think for PDP now, they should try to woo him; he is their best bet. Anybody put forth by the PDP, Nigerians will support him,” Lamido said.
He argued that Jonathan’s previous leadership experience, broad acceptance, and governance track record placed him above any current southern PDP figure.
“If we are giving the presidency to the South, who in PDP can challenge Jonathan in terms of experience, willingness to listen, and ability to build partnerships?” he asked.
Pressure Groups Drum Support
Beyond the PDP leadership, pro-Jonathan voices are also growing louder. On August 24 in Kano, a pressure group known as Bring Back Our Goodluck held a press conference at the Aminu Kano Centre for Democracy, Research, and Training, calling on Jonathan to stage a political comeback.
Its National Coordinator, Dr. Grema Kyari, argued that Nigerians were misled in 2015 into voting out Jonathan, only to face worsening hardship, insecurity, and economic decline under successive APC-led administrations.
“Instead of progress, the country has been plunged into hunger, poverty, and frustration,” Kyari lamented.
Drawing parallels with global political comebacks—such as Donald Trump in the United States and John Mahama in Ghana—Kyari insisted Jonathan remains the “surest path to rescue Nigeria.”
Jonathan Silent on 2027 Bid
Despite mounting calls, Jonathan himself has kept silent. Since his 2015 electoral defeat, he has largely maintained a low political profile, restricting his engagements to peace advocacy, democracy promotion, and international assignments.
For now, his campaign posters may be the strongest signal yet that sections of the PDP and civil society still view him as a unifying candidate for 2027. Whether he embraces that call remains uncertain.
