2027: Turaki-Led PDP Faction Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday held a closed-door meeting with leaders of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

The meeting comes months after the faction adopted Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the next election, despite the former president not publicly declaring any intention to return to the race.

Members of the faction visited Jonathan at his Abuja residence in what party insiders described as a strategic engagement focused on the political future of the group and preparations ahead of 2027.

Photographs from the meeting showed Jonathan receiving senior figures of the faction which include the factional chairman, Turaki and others

However, details of the discussions were not made public as of the time of filing this report.

Neither Jonathan nor the Turaki-led PDP faction issued an official statement after the meeting.

Nonetheless, this meeting has renewed attention on the political plans of the Ex-President, especially following repeated calls by supporters and political groups urging him to seek another term in office.

The former president has maintained a cautious position on the matter.

Earlier in May, Jonathan was approached by a coalition of supporters who urged him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Responding to the appeal, he said any decision on a presidential bid would require extensive consultations across the country.

“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely,” Jonathan had said.

He also stressed the need for careful consideration before taking any major political step.

“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” he stated.

Recall, the Turaki-led faction of the PDP formally adopted former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate during a special national convention held in Abuja on May.

The convention was initially scheduled to take place at a major event centre in the Federal Capital Territory but was later moved to the faction’s secretariat after challenges surrounding the original venue.

Despite his absence from the gathering, delegates proceeded with the ratification process and unanimously endorsed Jonathan as the faction’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.

Party leaders at the convention described Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of leading the country and restoring confidence in governance.

A certificate of return was received on his behalf by representatives of the faction during the event.

The endorsement came shortly after Jonathan received a delegation of supporters in Abuja who urged him to contest the presidency once again.

Responding to the calls at the time, the former president stopped short of declaring his ambition but acknowledged the growing pressure from supporters across the country.

“The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely,” Jonathan told the delegation.

He further explained that a decision of such magnitude could not be taken hastily.

“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” he said.

Since the endorsement, the former president has maintained silence on whether he will accept the nomination or join the presidential contest.