PDP may offer Jonathan 2027 Presidential ticket if he returns to party, says Woyengikuro

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly considering offering former President Goodluck Jonathan an automatic presidential ticket for the 2027 elections, on the condition that he returns to the party and takes on a more active political role.

This development was revealed by Daniel Woyengikuro, the PDP’s National Financial Secretary, during an exclusive interview in Abuja.

He highlighted Jonathan’s continued relevance in Nigerian politics and referred to him as the party’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 stated.

He confirmed that the party is in talks with Jonathan and members of his political camp, as part of a broader plan to bring him back into PDP’s central leadership and reposition the party ahead of the next elections.

According to Woyengikuro, Nigeria’s current situation demands bold leadership. “Nigeria has reached a point where we need to salvage this country — for our generation and for those to come,” he said. “When we talk about the Southern Presidency, someone like Goodluck Jonathan stands out.”

When asked directly about the possibility of an automatic ticket, Woyengikuro responded without hesitation: “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 added that Jonathan’s comeback could shift Nigeria’s political landscape significantly ahead of 2027.

Woyengikuro also applauded Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, describing him as a vibrant southern leader with the capacity to bridge 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 deepen internal consultations in the coming months as it gears up for the 2027 general elections.