The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ignited a fresh wave of political debate after zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South. The decision, announced last week, has already thrust two names into the spotlight—former President Goodluck Jonathan and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Both men carry distinct political baggage and opportunities. Obi, buoyed by the passionate loyalty of his “Obidient” movement, faces the challenge of transforming youthful energy and social media momentum into a structured, nationwide electoral machine. Jonathan, on the other hand, is being recast by his supporters as a pragmatic and stabilizing alternative, despite the constitutional questions surrounding his eligibility.
A critical legal obstacle could derail Jonathan’s return bid. A constitutional amendment passed after he left office in 2015 prohibits any individual who has been sworn in as president twice from contesting again. Whether this clause ultimately applies to him will likely be tested in the courts.
The irony is striking. In 2015, Jonathan faced fierce resistance from within his own party. Northern political heavyweights, including then-PDP chairman Adamu Mu’azu, opposed his re-election bid, accusing him of breaking a gentleman’s agreement to serve only one term following President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death. What was once deemed betrayal is now being reframed as unfinished business, with some of his former critics now quietly signaling support for his possible comeback.
For Jonathan, the path ahead is fraught with uncertainty. His political gamble rests on two assumptions: first, that Nigerians are willing to forgive the perceived shortcomings of his presidency; and second, that in the harsh glare of today’s economic and security challenges, his era will be remembered as a comparatively stable and prosperous time.
As the 2027 contest begins to take shape, the PDP’s zoning decision has not only reopened old wounds but also set the stage for one of the most intriguing political battles in Nigeria’s recent history.
Report by: Eteng Ubi Komonmo | Edited by: Chris Odjomah