PDP dispels rumours of Jonathan, Obi returning to party
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Executive Committee are divided over moves by certain individuals to facilitate the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the party.
This comes as the party prepares to inaugurate both the National Working Committee Zoning Committee and the 2027 Election Zoning Committee in Abuja today (Thursday).
Some senior members of the National Working Committee, who are also part of the NEC, and spoke on condition of anonymity to Punch questioned why Jonathan, who left the party at a critical time, and Obi whose defection to the Labour Party hurt the PDP’s 2023 prospects, now seek to return.
Others within the NEC welcomed the idea but stressed that the PDP already has capable and qualified members, such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and others, who could represent the party in the 2027 presidential race.
Meanwhile, sources with the PDP leadership confirmed to our correspondent that the party has not officially reached out to Jonathan and Obi, adding that those reaching out are doing so individually and not on behalf of the party.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, announced that the Zoning Committee would be inaugurated on Thursday (today), adding that the party already boasts a sufficient pool of credible presidential contenders.
As part of efforts to restructure and reposition, the PDP, at its 101st NEC meeting on July 24, resolved to hold a National Elective Convention on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect 19 new members into its National Working Committee.
In recent weeks, to populate the party, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, met separately with former President, Jonathan in Bayelsa and former Labour Party presidential candidate Obi in Bauchi, with discussions reportedly centered on their possible return to the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Additionally, party leaders such as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and others have publicly urged Jonathan and Obi to rejoin the PDP.
Beyond the PDP, Nigerians remain divided over Jonathan’s eligibility, following a 2018 constitutional amendment that prohibits anyone who has been sworn in twice in the past from contesting for the presidency or a governorship.
Sections 137(3) and 182(3) of the Constitution address this matter, stating that a person who has been sworn in to complete another person’s term as President or Governor may only be elected to that office for one additional term.
Section 137(3) applies to the President and states: “A person who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as President shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
Section 182(3) applies to Governors and states: “A person, who was sworn in to complete the term for which another person was elected as Governor, shall not be elected to such office for more than a single term.”
While Obi has maintained that he remains with the Labour Party in alliance with the coalition party, ADC, Jonathan has neither confirmed nor denied reports of his potential return to the PDP to contest the 2027 presidential election.
A PDP National Working Committee member, who revealed that the party leadership is not currently in discussions with Jonathan or Obi, said that if they choose to return, Jonathan would be received by the party with mixed feelings.
The source stated, “Well, the PDP has not officially reached out to these people. But some individuals are discussing with them, and not on behalf of the party.
“PDP remains the only genuine political party that has the people at its center. Those who wrote the party off can now see that the PDP is the party to beat in the 2027 election. It is a party with structure across all wards, local governments, geopolitical zones, and states.
“That is why many Nigerians are trooping in and joining the party. The PDP is open to all Nigerians who are ready to submit themselves to the party’s rules. This includes former President Jonathan and Obi. However, the PDP will receive both Jonathan and Obi with mixed feelings, because they dumped the party at a critical time when the party needed them, and their previous actions affected the party’s fortunes.
“Jonathan abandoned the party after the 2015 election, at a time when he should have been leading the party and repositioning it. Obi also left in the heat of the 2019 elections, and his defection, no doubt, affected the party’s performance in that year’s presidential election.
“So, while we welcome as many Nigerians as possible, we will receive Jonathan and Obi based on these reasons, with the hope that they will submit themselves to the party’s rules and will not come to dictate to the party. Whatever they want to achieve can be achieved through the PDP, but they must be willing and ready to participate in a level playing field for all, because that is what our party stands for.”
Another NWC member, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, stated that those advocating for Jonathan’s candidacy are motivated by selfish interests, while stressing that Obi must be willing to return to the party.
He stated, “I am a leader in this party. We are reading and hearing that the PDP is in talks with Jonathan and Obi. I am not aware of this because there has been no official communication between our party and these individuals.
“You see, Jonathan needs to ask those who are urging him to run an important question: are they asking him to run because they believe in his capacity, or for their selfish interests?
“As for Obi, is he ready to submit himself to PDP rules? Here in the PDP, we follow due process, and members are treated equally.
“They will be welcomed into the party if they want to return, but they must be ready to submit themselves to party processes, because the PDP will be fair to all going forward. There will be no preferential treatment for anyone.”
