Nigeria’s former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, is set to make a dramatic return to frontline politics as one of the leading contenders in the 2027 presidential election, a close ally confirmed to Vanguard yesterday.
The source, a prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), revealed that the push to draft the Bayelsa-born statesman into the race on the party’s platform is already at an advanced stage — and that Jonathan has agreed to run.
According to the insider, Jonathan’s decision is driven by growing concern over the worsening economic hardship, rising poverty levels, and general suffering across the country.
“He has accepted. He’s not coming back for politics as usual, but to help address the deepening crisis that has engulfed the nation in recent years,”* the ally stated.
If confirmed, Jonathan’s candidacy would set the stage for a high-profile political battle against **incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu** of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who is widely expected to seek re-election.
Jonathan, who served as President from 2010 to 2015, remains a significant figure in Nigerian politics and is respected across Africa for his peaceful handover of power after losing the 2015 election—an act that boosted his reputation as a statesman.
Observers say his re-entry into the race could reshape political alignments ahead of 2027, with the PDP banking on his national appeal, legacy, and experience to mount a credible challenge.
