2027: Jonathan Has Not Informed Me of Presidential Ambition — Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that former President Goodluck Jonathan has not personally communicated any intention to contest in the 2027 presidential election, despite widespread speculation suggesting otherwise.
Wike made the remark during a media parley with journalists in Abuja on Friday, October 24, where he addressed various national political issues and ongoing developments within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The former Rivers State governor was reacting to reports that Jonathan was being pressured by certain political blocs to return to the presidential race.
“You’re the one telling me here. Jonathan has never told me; he has never called me one day that, look, I’m being pressured to run, what’s your thinking? If he calls me and asks me, I will be able to tell him my mind and what I feel,” Wike said.
“I cannot assume it’s correct just because it appeared in the newspapers,” he added.
The FCT Minister’s response appeared to downplay the speculations circulating on social media and across political circles, particularly among members of the PDP and some South-South stakeholders, that Jonathan might stage a dramatic comeback ahead of the 2027 polls.
During the same media chat, Wike also commented on the reported emergence of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as the consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman of the PDP. The announcement had reportedly come from a coalition of northern PDP stakeholders, who endorsed Turaki ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025.
But Wike firmly distanced himself from the development, suggesting that he had no knowledge of such an arrangement.
“I don’t know about Tanimu Turaki becoming chairman; maybe he becomes chairman for another faction—it’s not the PDP I know,” Wike stated pointedly.
The remark underscored the widening gulf within the PDP, which continues to grapple with leadership disputes, factional divisions, and power struggles that have weakened its internal cohesion since the 2023 general elections.
Wike went further to question the legality of the planned PDP convention, describing it as unconstitutional and asserting that he would not participate in what he believes is a flawed process.
“How do you want me to attend a convention that I know by law there is no convention?” he asked rhetorically.
Political observers note that Wike’s criticism of the PDP’s internal processes reflects his continuing strained relationship with the party’s leadership, especially following his fallout with Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate. Since joining the Tinubu administration as FCT Minister, Wike has often been accused of working at cross-purposes with his former party, a charge he has repeatedly denied.
The controversy over Jonathan’s purported 2027 ambition has generated intense debate within Nigeria’s political space. Reports from multiple sources allege that some influential Northern politicians and elements within the APC have reached out to the former president, urging him to contest under a national unity platform to stabilize the country’s polity.
However, according to insiders close to Jonathan’s camp, the former leader remains non-committal and has not made any public statement confirming or denying his intentions.
Political analysts suggest that any potential comeback by Jonathan would be complicated by constitutional and political realities, especially considering his previous tenure from 2010 to 2015. Though legally eligible to run for one more term, observers say his political base within the PDP has eroded significantly since he left office.
Some also believe that such rumours are being strategically circulated by certain interest groups to create confusion within the opposition, divert attention from internal party crises, and weaken the PDP’s ability to build a formidable coalition ahead of 2027.
The renewed talk of Jonathan’s potential return to politics comes amid reports that President Bola Tinubu’s camp is quietly working to consolidate support across geopolitical zones ahead of 2027. Sources in Abuja have hinted that the presidency has been reaching out to influential South-South and Middle Belt leaders, including Jonathan, in what appears to be a broader strategy to secure national unity endorsements and neutralize opposition forces early.
According to these accounts, some of Jonathan’s associates are under pressure to broker a rapprochement between him and President Tinubu, with a view to stabilizing the Niger Delta and ensuring continued federal backing for development projects in Bayelsa, Rivers, and Delta states.
Nevertheless, Wike’s categorical statement that Jonathan has not spoken to him about any presidential ambition suggests that such overtures—if ongoing—are being managed outside his immediate circle of influence.
Wike’s relationship with Goodluck Jonathan has historically been politically strategic yet delicate. As a former minister under Jonathan and one of his strongest allies during the 2015 general elections, Wike played a key role in mobilizing support for the then-president within the PDP structure.
However, after Jonathan’s loss to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, the political dynamics within the party shifted dramatically. Wike emerged as a dominant figure within the PDP, using his influence as Rivers State governor to shape national party politics—often in ways that sidelined older figures like Jonathan.
In recent years, both men have maintained cordial but distant ties, with Wike occasionally visiting Jonathan’s residence in Yenagoa or Abuja during political consultations. Insiders describe their relationship as one of mutual respect but limited political trust.
This context makes Wike’s latest remarks particularly significant: they serve not only to clarify his stance but also to subtly assert his continuing relevance in the South-South political space amid speculations that other figures may be plotting a presidential return.
Within the PDP, the larger picture remains one of disarray and factionalism. Since its defeat in the 2023 elections, the party has struggled to maintain cohesion, with various camps loyal to Atiku Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, Iyorchia Ayu, and Uche Secondus pulling in different directions.
The planned November convention, intended to elect new national officers, has instead become a flashpoint of controversy, with legal challenges threatening to derail the process. Several court orders from Abuja and Port Harcourt divisions have reportedly restrained different factions from holding parallel congresses, further muddying the waters.
Political observers warn that if the PDP fails to resolve its leadership crisis soon, it risks going into the 2027 elections weakened and fragmented, unable to mount a credible challenge against the ruling APC or form a viable alliance with Labour Party leader Peter Obi, who is widely expected to run again.
Reacting to Wike’s statement, a political analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Kenechukwu Ilo, said the FCT Minister’s clarification was timely and necessary.
“The rumour of Jonathan’s comeback has been floating for months, but without any credible confirmation. Wike’s statement helps to tone down the noise,” Ilo said.
“However, the underlying message is that the PDP remains in turmoil, and unless the party finds a way to unite its old and new power blocs, 2027 will be another easy ride for the APC.”
Another commentator, Barr. Amaka Ugwu, noted that Wike’s increasing alignment with the Tinubu administration may further alienate him from his old political allies.
“Wike is playing a long game. By aligning with Tinubu while keeping a distance from PDP infighting, he’s positioning himself for 2027—either to remain relevant within APC circles or to play kingmaker once again,” Ugwu explained.
Wike’s remarks quickly went viral on social media platforms, sparking thousands of comments within hours. Some users praised his honesty, while others accused him of pretending ignorance of Jonathan’s political manoeuvres.
A Facebook user wrote:
“Wike knows more than he’s saying. These politicians always test the waters before committing.”
Another user on X (formerly Twitter) posted:
“Jonathan should enjoy his statesmanship and stay out of this dirty game. Nigeria needs new faces, not recycled politics.”
In contrast, a few others argued that Jonathan’s return could unite the country across old fault lines, given his perceived moderation and non-confrontational leadership style.
As Nigeria inches closer to another election cycle, the political chessboard is rapidly shifting. With the ruling APC consolidating its grip on power and opposition parties struggling to find common ground, the 2027 presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable contests in recent memory.
Whether Goodluck Jonathan decides to re-enter the fray or not, his name continues to evoke nostalgia and controversy in equal measure. Meanwhile, figures like Nyesom Wike—strategic, outspoken, and politically agile—remain central to how alliances are built or broken in the months ahead.
For now, the FCT Minister’s message is clear: he has not been informed of any presidential ambition by Jonathan—and he refuses to speculate.
“If he wants to run, let him say so. Until then, I stand by what I know,” Wike concluded.