Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly plotting a comeback to Nigeria’s highest office, with the Peoples Democratic Party identified as his preferred political vehicle, Vanguard has learned from reliable sources.
A senior member of Jonathan’s inner circle disclosed on Sunday that the PDP was selected after thorough internal consultations aimed at identifying the platform most likely to maximize his chances of reclaiming the presidency and addressing the country’s mounting economic challenges.
The revelation that Jonathan intends to run on the PDP ticket has set off a flurry of activity among various pro-Jonathan factions, all racing to secure his N100 million nomination form before the Tuesday deadline set by the divided party.
Speaking anonymously, the source noted that among the competing groups is the Goodluckan Movement, a diaspora-based organization that insists it has a stronger claim to purchase the form on Jonathan’s behalf, given its broader representation of Nigerians worldwide compared to the northern-based groups also vying for the opportunity.
Other organizations said to be in contention include the Coalition for Jonathan — which has twice organized large youth rallies at his office urging him to declare — the Goodies Movement, an online advocacy platform, and The New Nigeria (TNN), a mass movement with a substantial membership base primarily in northern Nigeria. Additional groups include the Almajiri Network, Arewa for Good Governance, the Northern Youth Alliance for Good Governance, the Northern Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, Arewa for Better Government, and the North Youth Progressive Movement. Each group is said to have committed to independently raising the required sum.
Dr. Tom Ohikere, who leads one of the Jonathan support groups, has publicly called on the former president to “immediately pick a presidential nomination form of any party of your choice.”
Questions over Jonathan’s party of choice had lingered until the Turaki-led PDP moved swiftly to put the matter to rest, issuing a statement affirming that he had already met the conditions required to contest under its banner. Party spokesman Barrister Ini Ememobong confirmed that Jonathan had completed his online PDP registration earlier in the year, pointing out that neither his media team nor any close associate had issued a denial.
This is not the first time Jonathan has been thrust into such a situation. In 2022, a northern almajiri group purchased an APC nomination form worth N100 million in his name — a move that attracted widespread attention but was subsequently disowned by Jonathan, and the form was never submitted.
