Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to take a more active role in the activities and affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
Turaki disclosed this while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with the former President in Abuja on Tuesday.
Turaki arrived at Jonathan’s Maitama office alongside the entire National Working Committee, former governors, founding fathers, and a few selected state chairmen at about 5:45 pm in six SUVs.
The meeting lasted about one hour and 30 minutes.
Last year, it was rumoured that Jonathan would seek re-election in 2027 after the PDP zoned its presidential ticket to the South.
The rumoured re-election ambition sparked legal debates on Jonathan’s eligibility to run. The ex-President was, however, mum, neither confirming nor denying the presidential ambition.
Speaking in the company of other party leaders, Turaki noted that not all political crises can be resolved through 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, 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 very encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections.”
When asked about 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 reaffirmed 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 Peoples 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.”
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.”
All attempts to get Jonathan to comment on the meeting or state his views on the issues were unsuccessful, as the former President merely escorted his visitors out and returned inside shortly afterwards.
Those present at the meeting included former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; former Minister of Information and National Orientation and PDP founding father, Prof. Jerry Gana; National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong; and Deputy National Secretary, Richard Ihediwa.
PDP governors had earlier approved the Ibadan convention, at which Turaki and other members of the National Working Committee were elected on November 16 for a four-year tenure.
However, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, alongside his allies, Mohammed Abdulrahman and Senator Anyanwu, maintained that they continued to occupy the offices of acting National Chairman and acting National Secretary, respectively.
Although the governors oversaw a smooth transition from former acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum, to Turaki ahead of the official expiration of Damagum’s tenure on December 9, the Wike-aligned faction proceeded on December 8 to constitute a 13-member caretaker committee, naming Mohammed, Anyanwu and others, with a 60-day mandate.
Since then, both factions have been seeking official recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission. As a result, INEC has declined to recognise any individual as the PDP candidate for the Ekiti election.
Meanwhile, several lawsuits challenging the PDP’s national leadership are currently pending before different courts at various levels.
Despite these developments, the Turaki-led National Working Committee has continued consultations with elder statesmen over the crisis. Beyond Jonathan, the committee had also held meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, and former Minister of Defence, T. Y. Danjuma.
FOLLOW US ON:
