Associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan have dismissed growing speculation about a possible return to presidential politics in 2027, insisting that there is no indication that the former Nigerian leader intends to contest the election.
The associates, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, described reports linking Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race as politically motivated and aimed at advancing certain interests within the country’s political landscape.
According to them, a formal statement clarifying Jonathan’s position and reiterating his lack of interest in the 2027 presidential contest is expected to be released soon.
The development comes on the heels of repeated claims by an interim National Working Committee faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tanimu Turaki, that the former president had registered as a member of its faction and was participating in activities leading to the next general election.
The faction had also claimed that Jonathan purchased expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 presidential election and suggested that he completed and submitted the documents, despite failing to provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.
In a further twist, the group reportedly screened and cleared the former president to contest on its platform in absentia, a move that generated fresh debate within political circles.
The controversy deepened over the weekend when the Turaki-led faction announced Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, also in absentia, despite the absence of any public declaration from the former president indicating a desire to seek elective office.
However, sources close to Jonathan maintained that the former president has not authorised anyone to purchase nomination forms on his behalf and has not expressed interest in joining the race. They argued that attempts to associate him with the election were designed to create confusion and attract political attention.
