Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, believes ex-President Goodluck Jonathan remains the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) strongest contender for the 2027 presidential election, calling on the party to do all it can to bring him back.
“I think for PDP now they should try and woo him; he is their best bet. To me, he is their best bet. Anybody put forth by the PDP, Nigerians will support him,” Lamido said during Friday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Lamido hails Jonathan’s experience, governance skills
He praised Jonathan as a leader with proven experience, strong governance skills, and the ability to work well with others. According to him, no southern PDP member currently matches the former president’s political credentials.
“PDP, APC, ADC, it’s going to be very interesting and merrier. He is most welcome, competent and very qualified. To me, I welcome him into the PDP. I think so far in the PDP, with all respect to all members, I don’t see a better alternative than Jonathan if he comes to the PDP.
“I don’t see any other person, really. If we are giving the presidency to the South, it will be the PDP. Who is there in PDP now that can challenge Jonathan in terms of being in office, being full-headed, being somebody who is willing to listen, and somebody who is also a key player who believes in partnership?” he stated.
Lamido’s comments add fuel to ongoing speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to the PDP ahead of 2027.
While the party has officially denied offering him its ticket or courting him, political insiders say discreet efforts are underway to convince him to run — potentially as a major challenger to President Bola Tinubu.
Deji Adeyanju ‘supports’ Jonathan as only Southerner capable to defeat Tinubu
Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has stated that Jonathan is the only southern politician capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Adeyanju made the claim in a post on X (formerly Twitter), though he acknowledged that Jonathan is unlikely to run.
“GEJ is the only southern candidate that can defeat Tinubu but I don’t think he will run against Tinubu,” he wrote.
Addressing questions about Jonathan’s eligibility, Adeyanju insisted that the constitution does not bar the former president from contesting again.
“GEJ is not constitutionally barred from contesting. Our laws forbid a situation where any law would be made targeting a particular individual,” he said, adding in jest: “If I try to explain this to you now, headache might worry you but have a great day sir.”
