The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has refuted claims that it invited former President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ibrahim Abdullahi, clarified the matter during an interview with BBC Hausa, stating that a previous interview he granted about Jonathan’s eligibility for the presidency had been misinterpreted.
“The report that the PDP has offered its presidential ticket to former President Goodluck Jonathan or invited him to contest the 2027 presidential election is false,” Abdullahi said.
He explained the context of the misunderstanding:
“During an interview, a journalist asked about President Jonathan, referencing reports that he was being urged to run for the presidency. I responded that he is eligible to contest because, as a Nigerian, he has the legal right to do so, with one term still available to him. My comment was merely a statement of fact about his eligibility under the law, not an invitation from the party.”
Abdullahi added that Jonathan is among several prominent figures, including 12 sitting governors, who are eligible to seek the PDP’s presidential ticket. He emphasized that the PDP does not need to woo Jonathan, given the contributions the party has already made to his political career.