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By Myke Agunwa
The zoning of the Presidency to the south by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Monday, has reignited fresh search for a credible candidate who will challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, with many stakeholders expressing overwhelming preference for former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Recall that Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, had said that ex-President Jonathan remains the PDP strongest and most viable option for the 2027 presidential election. In a recent interview on Arise Television, he urged the party to do everything possible to “woo” Jonathan back into its fold.
“I think so far now in the PDP, with all due respect to all the members of the PDP, I don’t see any better alternative than Jonathan. If he comes into PDP, I don’t see any other person, really.
“If we are giving the president to the south, who is there in PDP who can challenge Jonathan? In terms of pedigree, in terms of being there in office, in terms of being cool-headed, in terms of somebody who is willing to listen… and somebody who also believes in partnership.
“I think for PDP now; they should try to woo him. To me, he is their best bet, Nigerians will support him” Lamido stated.
Shortly after it NEC meeting, Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro in an interview, confirmed that the party is in talks with Jonathan and expressed optimism that he will give a positive nod.
“Some persons are talking to him to come and run, and it is a possibility” Moro admitted.
Similarly, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, in a recent BBC Hausa service interview on August 5, confirmed moves by the party to convince the former president to run again.
He claimed that the former president has made a positive response to the invitation, saying that he would ponder and consult about it to make a decision.
“Some of the conditions he gave were: to be given an automatic ticket if he accepts to run, though he also said he would have to make consultations before getting back to us,” he claimed.
Pointblanknews.com learnt from an insider in the party who had no authority to speak on the matter that former President Jonathan has been offered an automatic party by the party to run in 2027 but he is yet to accept the offer.
The party chieftains said that many stakeholders from the north especially governors who want to take a shot at the 2031 presidential election have thrown their weight behind Jonathan, arguing that due to the constitutional barrier on him to seek re-election, he remains the region’s best bet.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, who did not want to be named, told pointblanknews.com that despite Peter Obi’s assurances that he would serve only one term if elected, most party leaders believe Jonathan would bring greater stability since he is encumbered by the constitution to seek re-election.
He said that the task of wooing Jonathan back to the race has been handed over to Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed who is very close to the former President.
“Let me tell you straight away, serious efforts are being made to pull Jonathan into the race. From the look of things, our northern colleagues believe that it is necessary to get the former president to come in and complete his second term.
“It is not that the Obi option has been ruled out, but developments in the Labour Party and the coalition make it risky to put all our eggs in one basket. We do not want a situation that could leave the party scratching around to field a strong contender.
“Don’t forget that Kauran Bauchi is very close to the former President. He is executing the task with the desired strategy and seriousness with the hope to take over from Jonathan in 2031 when power returns to the north” he revealed.
Another sources added that Jonathan’s return to the party and the presidential ticket were some of the issues discussed when he met with some party leaders in The Gambia recently. The meeting also covered strategies for financing the party and the 2027 election campaign.
But another source said that despite all the overtures, Jonathan will not accept the offer.
He said, “Look Tinubu is not a Jonathan that will concede defeat easily in 2027. Yes, Jonathan is under intense pressure from the party to run but he has not given them his words.
“The first thing he told them is to go and put their party in order which they are doing. The recent decision on zoning is part of the in-house cleaning.
“Even as the party has offered automatic ticket and other incentives, Jonathan is mindful of the fact that President Tinubu is a very ambitious politician.
“Remember that recently, the EFCC beamed its search light on former Senate President David Mark, former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former governor of Imo State Emeka Ihedioha. Don’t forget that Jonathan’s wife has some cases of corruption pending at the EFCC. All Tinubu will do to distract him will be to reopen those cases. Tinubu may not attack Jonathan directly as an ex-president, but when he reopens investigations on Patience Jonathan, then it will be a very big embarrassment to the former president who has been enjoying a quiet life.
“For now, Jonathan will not accept PDP overtures and he has thrown his weight behind Peter Obi”.
Explaining the options before the party as it shops for its presidential flag bearer he continued,
“Tinubu’s political moves has pitched the north against the south west, so what the party is doing is to see how they can build the confidence of the north around Obi and assure them that he will spend only one term in office.
“Now Atiku is out of the way. The party has publicly declared that allowing Atiku to run in 2023 was a grave mistake. With that confession, PDP will now see how it will reduce the grip of Wike who has been fighting because of Atiku’s negative influence on the party.
“The party will revamp its structures and root for Obi who is the party’s best bet to the villa in 2027, ” he said.
It is worthy to note that former first lady, Patience Jonathan had dismissed the possibility of her husband joining the 2027 presidential race.
Mrs Jonathan who was a guest during the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award organized by Accolade Dynamics Limited in Abuja said that rather than contest, her family would campaign for Tinubu’s re-election because Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi, supported Jonathan’s 2011 presidential bid.
“I believe in one President. I believe in turn by turn. When it’s your turn, I will support you. When it’s not your turn, step back—so that the country can move forward.
“I stand by my friend (Oluremi Tinubu). My friend is great. I told her I would campaign with her. I’m not denying her. I’m not running. I’m not going back to the villa. If you call me, I will not go” she said in her usual joking manner.