Former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to play a more active role in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as preparations gather pace for the 2027 general elections, the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, has said.
Turaki spoke to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, January 6, after a closed-door meeting with Jonathan at the former president’s Maitama office.
The meeting was attended by the entire National Working Committee, some former governors, founding members of the party and a selection of state chairmen, and lasted about one hour and thirty minutes.
The visit comes against the backdrop of reports that surfaced last year suggesting Jonathan could be considering a return to the ballot in 2027, claims the former president has neither confirmed nor denied.
Addressing reporters alongside other party leaders, Turaki said the delegation met Jonathan to brief him on developments in the party and to seek his guidance, noting that not every political crisis can be settled in court.
He stated, “We came this evening to visit one of our very important leaders, former President of Nigeria, President Ebele Jonathan, first, to introduce members of the newly elected National Working Committee to him, and then to tell him what we have been doing since our election at the National Convention held last November in Ibadan.
“We briefed him on the state of the party, the challenges, and the prospects. On this visit, we were accompanied by former governors, members of the Board of Trustees, founding fathers and founding mothers, the Forum of State Chairmen, in addition to other leaders of the party, including former ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We solicited, as usual, his support, guidance, and advice. We received his assurance that he is still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains active, and will be even more active in the activities and affairs of the PDP.
“He also assured us that the PDP has done everything for him that can be done for an individual and that he still feels obligated to the party.
“His remarks and statements were not only reassuring but very encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections.”
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Turaki said Jonathan offered proposals on how the PDP’s internal disputes could be addressed, but added that the recommendations would not be publicly disclosed, even though the party would act on them.
He also used the occasion to insist the PDP remains the country’s strongest opposition platform and promised reforms under the current leadership.
He continued, “We remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of the PDP is taking the party back to the people, who are the true owners of the party. In doing so, there will be a level playing field, inclusivity, and an end to impunity.
“We will not allow people to take what does not belong to them. We will listen to Nigerians. Whatever Nigerians want is what we will give them. Whatever Nigerians want is what they will have as far as this leadership is concerned.
“This is the party that belongs to the Nigerian people, and that is why we are called the Peoples Democratic Party.
“So, we informed the former President about the prospects and challenges facing the party, including the legal battles.
“As a senior lawyer, I explained to him the details of the matters at the Court of Appeal and the prospects for the party. He is fully informed and still believes, as we all do, that the PDP is the party for Nigerians.”
Those who attended the meeting included former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information and National Orientation and PDP founding father, Professor Jerry Gana; National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary, Richard Ihediwa.
The meeting also comes as the PDP grapples with a deepening leadership dispute. PDP governors had earlier approved the Ibadan convention where Turaki and members of the National Working Committee were elected on November 16 for a four-year tenure.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, alongside allies Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Anyanwu, insist they still occupy the offices of Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary.