Former President Goodluck Jonathan has held a fresh meeting with leaders of the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, further fuelling speculation over his political plans ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The meeting, which took place on Friday, July 24, 2026, was held at Jonathan’s office in Maitama, Abuja. Photographs from the encounter showed the former president receiving Turaki and other members of the faction.
The development is significant because the Turaki-led faction has already adopted Jonathan as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
In May, the faction granted Jonathan a waiver from its presidential screening process, citing his extensive political experience as a former deputy governor, governor, vice-president and president.
The group subsequently ratified him as its presidential candidate at a special convention on May 30, with a certificate of return received on his behalf by Bayelsa lawmaker Fred Agbedi.
Jonathan Yet to Declare
Despite the moves by the Turaki-led group, Jonathan has not publicly declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
When supporters previously urged him to enter the race, the former president said he would consult widely before making a decision. Channels Television reported that Jonathan has neither publicly accepted nor rejected the Turaki faction’s nomination.
This makes Friday’s meeting particularly noteworthy.
Although details of the discussions were not officially disclosed, reports indicate that the engagement came amid the continuing leadership crisis within the PDP and questions surrounding the party’s preparations for 2027.
Why the Meeting Matters
Jonathan’s possible return to presidential politics could significantly alter the opposition landscape ahead of 2027.
A Jonathan candidacy would potentially introduce another major contender into an already crowded field involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and opposition figures including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
However, it would be premature to interpret the latest meeting as confirmation that Jonathan has decided to contest.
The former president’s next public statement on his political plans could therefore become one of the most closely watched developments in Nigeria’s 2027 political calculations.
Headlineswave.ng
