Former President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to engage more actively in the activities and matters of the Peoples Democratic Party in preparation for the 2027 general elections, as stated by the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Turaki revealed this while speaking to reporters following a private meeting with the former president in Abuja on Tuesday.
Turaki reached Jonathan’s Maitama office with the complete National Working Committee, ex-governors, founding members, and some chosen state chairmen around 5:45 pm in six SUVs.
The duration of the meeting was approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
Last year, there were rumors that Jonathan planned to run for re-election in 2027 after the PDP assigned its presidential ticket to the South.
The speculated desire for re-election ignited legal discussions regarding Jonathan’s suitability to compete. The former president remained silent, neither affirming nor rejecting the desire for the presidency.
In the presence of fellow party leaders, Turaki emphasized that not every political crisis can be settled in the courts.
He stated, “We came this evening to visit one of our very important leaders, former President of Nigeria, President Ebele Jonathan. First, to introduce members of the newly elected National Working Committee to him, and then to tell him what we have been doing since our election at the National Convention held last November in Ibadan.
“We briefed him on the state of the party, the challenges, and the prospects. On this visit, we were accompanied by former governors, members of the Board of Trustees, founding fathers and founding mothers, and the Forum of State Chairmen, in addition to other leaders of the party, including former ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We solicited, as usual, his support, guidance, and advice. We received his assurance that he is still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains active, and will be even more active in the activities and affairs of the PDP.
“He also assured us that the PDP has done everything for him that can be done for an individual and that he still feels obligated to the party. His remarks and statements were not only reassuring but also very encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections.”
Speaking on the former president’s recommendations for resolving the PDP crisis, Turaki said Jonathan offered valuable suggestions that would not be made public but would be acted upon accordingly.
The PDP chairman stressed that the party remains the strongest and most credible platform for contesting and winning elections in Nigeria.
He continued, “We remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of the PDP is taking the party back to the people, who are the true owners of the party.
“In doing so, there will be a level playing field, inclusivity, and an end to impunity. We will not allow people to take what does not belong to them. We will listen to Nigerians. Whatever Nigerians want is what we will give them. Whatever Nigerians want is what they will have as far as this leadership is concerned.
“This is the party that belongs to the Nigerian people, and that is why we are called the People’s Democratic Party. So, we informed the former president about the prospects and challenges facing the party, including the legal battles. As a senior lawyer, I explained to him the details of the matters at the Court of Appeal and the prospects for the party. He is fully informed and still believes, as we all do, that the PDP is the party for Nigerians.”
Speaking on the possibility of political solutions to the party’s crisis, Turaki said the leadership would only engage with individuals who are genuinely willing to reconcile.
He continued, “Even when you win a war, you must still win the battle. I believe not every political disagreement should go to court. However, all the cases before the courts were instituted against the PDP, not by the PDP. We have a responsibility to defend the party.
“After the legal processes, we will still engage those who show remorse and willingness to remain loyal party members. When we were sworn in, we stated clearly that we would reach out to all aggrieved members. We need all hands on deck for the task ahead. We will sit down with those genuinely interested in reconciliation. We will reconcile and move forward together as one big PDP family.”
Every effort to prompt Jonathan to discuss the meeting or express his opinions on the matters failed, as the former president simply guided his guests out and went back inside soon after.
Attendees of the meeting comprised former Niger State governor Babangida Aliyu; ex-Minister of Information and National Orientation and PDP founding member Prof. Jerry Gana; National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary Richard Ihediwa.
PDP governors previously endorsed the Ibadan convention, where Turaki and other National Working Committee members were elected on November 16 for a four-year term.
Nevertheless, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, together with his associates, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Anyanwu, asserted that they remained in their roles as acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary, respectively.
While the governors facilitated a seamless shift from the previous acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki before Damagum’s term officially concluded on December 9, the Wike-aligned group established a 13-member caretaker committee on December 8, appointing Mohammed, Anyanwu, and others, with a mandate lasting 60 days.
Since that time, both groups have been pursuing formal acknowledgment from the Independent National Electoral Commission. Consequently, INEC has refused to acknowledge any person as the PDP candidate for the Ekiti election.
At the same time, numerous lawsuits contesting the PDP’s national leadership are presently awaiting resolution in different courts at multiple levels.
In spite of these advancements, the National Working Committee under Turaki has maintained discussions with elder statesmen regarding the crisis. In addition to Jonathan, the committee conducted meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Military President Ibrahim Babangida, and former Defence Minister T. Y. Danjuma.
