As the 2027 general elections approach, Keyamo on Jonathan PDP 2027 has sparked nationwide discussion over the opposition party’s presidential prospects. According to Keyamo, former President Goodluck Jonathan could face legal hurdles if he contests, putting the PDP at risk of lacking a viable candidate. The minister’s warning highlights the challenges the PDP faces in selecting a candidate for 2027, especially regarding Jonathan’s potential bid.
Keyamo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), shared his warning on Sunday, August 31, via his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle. He stressed that the PDP committed a political “sin” in the 2023 elections when it failed to zone its presidential ticket to the south. According to him, zoning remains a fundamental feature of Nigeria’s political landscape and is unlikely to disappear.
PDP’s Zoning Dilemma Ahead of 2027
Keyamo on Jonathan PDP 2027 underscores that unless extraordinary circumstances arise, the PDP may not regain power until 2031. He noted that zoning the party’s presidential ticket to the south could create more challenges than solutions for the opposition.
One of the major highlights of his statement focused on former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom some PDP chieftains tout as a potential candidate. Keyamo warned that if the party fields Jonathan, it risks losing its chance to present a candidate at all.
Jonathan’s Political Background and Renewed Calls
Goodluck Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, assuming office after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He won the 2011 election but lost in 2015 to the late Muhammadu Buhari.
Although Jonathan has largely stayed away from active partisan politics since leaving office, he remains a PDP member. In recent months, calls for him to contest in 2027 have grown. Notably, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, recently declared that Jonathan is a strong fit for the party’s presidential ticket. He described Jonathan as one of the most celebrated politicians in Nigeria today.
Mohammed said:
“Certainly, former President Jonathan is one of the candidates we are considering. If he chooses to run, our doors remain open.”
Keyamo’s Legal Warning on Jonathan’s Eligibility
In a detailed analysis, Keyamo on Jonathan PDP 2027 highlighted a constitutional challenge that could put the PDP in a precarious position. He noted that Jonathan’s eligibility is uncertain under Section 137(3) of the 1999 Constitution (Fourth Alteration).
He explained:
“One of the PDP’s attractive options is ex-President Jonathan, partly because he can only run for one term. However, by virtue of Section 137(3), the party risks not having any candidate at all. This amendment came after the 2015 court ruling that cleared Jonathan to contest then. The Supreme Court would have the final say this time.”
The minister stressed that if the PDP fields Jonathan and authorities later bar him from contesting after nominations close, the party would have no candidate. He cautioned against blaming the judiciary, noting that the legal risks are already visible.
PDP’s Running Mate Strategy
Reports indicate that the PDP is considering potential running mates for whoever emerges as its presidential flagbearer. Northern politicians are strongly favored to balance the zoning arrangement, as the 2027 presidential ticket is expected to favor a southern candidate.
