The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Youth Group spokesperson, Dare Glintstone Akinniyi, has reacted to the alleged move for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest against President Tinubu in 2027.
Amid the move by some northern leaders insisting power must return to the region, Akinniyi insisted that the call for Jonathan’s return to power cannot be condemned.
TimesNow.com.ng reported that reports emerged on Saturday, December 14, claiming that former President Jonathan has been invited to contest the 2027 presidential election on the PDP platform.
But on Sunday, December 15, the PDP denied the reports.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi stated that Jonathan remains eligible to contest but emphasized that the party has not extended a presidential ticket to him.
Speaking further, Abdullahi referenced Jonathanâs wife, Patience, who previously stated that her husband had no plans to return to politics, further dismissing the speculation.
In an exclusive interview with TimesNow.com.ng on Sunday, December 15, Akinniyi backed the reported move for Jonathan to contest for president in the 2027 general elections, asserting that it is the democratic right of citizens to urge a candidate to run.
He explained that it is within the rights of Nigerians to call for Jonathanâs return, but the decision ultimately lies with Jonathan himself.
Akinniyi stated thus:
Recall that John Mahama, was declared winner of the Ghana election conducted on Saturday, December 7, 2024.
Mahama, a candidate of the opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been elected as Ghana’s president.
Akinniyi, however, likened the call for Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race to the outcome of the Ghanian election; but maintained that Ghana is not Nigeria.
Buttressing his point, Akinniyi explained that, given Nigeriaâs current political situation, a Southern candidate, especially from the PDP, may struggle to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, he suggested that the PDP would need to rally around a Northern candidate to have a chance of victory.
The PDP chieftain said:
Earlier, TimesNow.com.ng reported that posters promoting Jonathanâs potential 2027 bid, under the slogan âTeam New Nigeria 2027,â have appeared in Kano.
The movement, hoping to register as a political party soon, is led by Team New Nigeria (TNN) which claims to have over 26 million voters.
Jonathanâs involvement is uncertain, as he has not endorsed the movement, similar to his distancing from unsolicited actions in 2022.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
