Jonathan Advances 2027 Presidential Bid Despite Patience’s Objection as Wike Emerges Major Hurdle
PulseNets has obtained credible information indicating that former President Goodluck Jonathan is quietly advancing preparations to re-enter the 2027 presidential race, even as his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, has openly expressed disapproval.
Earlier this year in Abuja, while receiving the Women Icon Leader of the Year Award, Mrs. Jonathan spoke candidly about the heavy toll political office had placed on her family. She stressed that she longed for “peace” and queried why any former president would wish to return to the battlefield of Nigerian politics. In a surprising twist, she pledged open loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and even assured that she would “campaign vigorously” for his second term bid in 2027.
Despite these remarks, insiders who spoke to PulseNets revealed that Dr. Jonathan remains undeterred. According to multiple sources, he has accelerated high-level consultations across Nigeria and abroad, focusing on consolidating influence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while working behind the scenes to eliminate obstacles that could derail his comeback bid.
The Wike Factor
A central challenge confronting Jonathan’s strategists is the towering influence of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. During a recent media chat, Wike bluntly advised Jonathan to “forget about returning to Aso Rock,” insisting that it would be wiser for him to retain his image as an elder statesman. Wike further accused Jonathan’s backers of hypocrisy, recalling that many abandoned him during the tense 2015 elections.
Sources close to the former president told PulseNets that these comments are not being taken lightly. In fact, strategy sessions held outside Nigeria have reportedly revolved around neutralising Wike’s influence and ensuring he does not scuttle Jonathan’s chances of clinching the PDP ticket.
One top aide disclosed to PulseNets: “Wike’s opposition is real. That is why several of our meetings abroad have centred on preventing him from becoming a stumbling block.”
To counter this, Jonathan has tasked his inner circle, coordinated by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, with rallying party stakeholders. His team has also persuaded Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri to stay within the PDP, quashing rumours of a planned defection to the APC. Analysts say this move is crucial in safeguarding Jonathan’s stronghold in the South-South.
Party insiders further learnt by PulseNets report that Jonathan’s camp is laser-focused on stabilising PDP ranks and blocking further defections ahead of the decisive 2027 general elections.
Legal and Domestic Dimensions
Questions about Jonathan’s constitutional eligibility to contest again have resurfaced, with critics arguing that he has already been sworn in twice. However, PulseNets obtained documents showing that his camp has circulated a favourable court ruling which affirmed his right to stand for election in 2027, effectively silencing legal doubts.
On the domestic front, those close to the former president dismiss Dame Patience Jonathan’s objections as non-threatening. A long-time confidant reminded PulseNets that “She opposed his elevation from Bayelsa governor to vice-president in 2007, but her resistance did not stop his rise then and it won’t now.”
Also Read: 2027 Presidential Election: El-Rufai Predicts Tinubu Will Finish Third
From all indications, Jonathan is positioning himself as a comeback contender, defying both domestic and political headwinds. With party manoeuvres in motion, support networks being rebuilt, and the legal question settled, his 2027 bid appears more than a speculation. For now, the biggest question hanging over Nigeria’s political landscape is whether he can overcome the Wike challenge and unite the PDP behind his name.
