Jonathan 2027 presidential bid speculation is dismissed by close associates, who insist the former president has no plans to contest

Close associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan have dismissed growing speculation surrounding a Jonathan 2027 Presidential Bid, insisting there is no indication that the former Nigerian leader intends to contest the next presidential election.

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The associates, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, described reports linking Jonathan to the 2027 race as politically motivated and aimed at advancing the interests of certain groups.

They also disclosed that a formal statement clarifying Jonathan’s position on the issue would be released in due course.

The development follows repeated claims by a factional Peoples Democratic Party interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN), which has alleged that Jonathan registered as a member of its faction and obtained nomination forms for the 2027 presidential election.

The faction further claimed that the former president completed and submitted the forms and was subsequently screened and cleared to contest, despite providing no public evidence to support the assertions.

In a further twist, the Turaki-led faction reportedly announced Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election in absentia.

A former minister and close associate of the former president said there was no evidence to suggest Jonathan was preparing for a return to active electoral politics.

“Anyway, those of us who are close to former President Goodluck Jonathan know that he is not running in the 2027 election,” the source said.

The associate argued that if Jonathan were genuinely seeking the presidency, there would already be visible consultations, political engagements and mobilisation efforts across the country.

“If he were, he would be actively involved, and many of us who are part of his political structure would also be mobilising in support of his ambition,” the source added.

According to the associate, Jonathan’s stature as a former president and respected statesman makes it unlikely that he would pursue a presidential ambition discreetly or through unofficial channels.

“Former President Jonathan is not just any aspirant. If he were running, he would be courageous enough to obtain the nomination form himself,” the source said.

The associate further maintained that Jonathan would openly identify with a political party, participate in screening exercises and publicly accept any nomination if he intended to seek office.

“The reality is that the former president is not running. Some individuals are merely using his name to advance their own interests and those of their faction or group,” the source stated.

Another associate described the recurring speculation as a familiar political pattern, noting that Jonathan’s name has frequently surfaced during election cycles despite a lack of public declarations from the former president.

The source said a serious presidential campaign would require extensive planning, consultations, public appearances and nationwide engagement, none of which Jonathan has undertaken in recent months.

“In recent times, have we seen President Jonathan involved in any of these activities? Absolutely not,” the source said.

The associate also disclosed that Jonathan had not informed members of his political circle about any intention to contest the presidency.

“I met with him recently, and he never mentioned anything of that nature. In fact, when I jokingly asked him about it, he responded, ‘Under which party?’ and we all laughed,” the source revealed.

According to the associate, investigations showed that Jonathan neither purchased, completed nor submitted any presidential nomination form.

“Some people simply arranged a form and claimed it was for him to contest. He never completed it, submitted it, or presented himself for screening,” the source said.

The associate expressed confidence that Jonathan would eventually issue a definitive statement to end the speculation.

However, the faction promoting Jonathan’s candidacy insisted that the former president remained its preferred candidate for the 2027 election.

Speaking with journalists, the Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led interim National Working Committee, Ini Ememobong, argued that Jonathan’s silence should not be interpreted as a rejection of the nomination.

“You should understand that silence is strategic, just like communication is. Not everyone speaks or acts aggressively,” Ememobong said.

The spokesman maintained that Jonathan’s political history showed a tendency to emerge through consensus and invitation rather than active campaigning.

“So, the former President is our candidate, and until today, the man has not disavowed. All that has happened has been in the open,” he added.

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The conflicting claims have added a fresh layer of intrigue to early political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, even as Jonathan’s associates insist there is no basis for reports suggesting he is preparing a return to the presidential ballot.