Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly secured a waiver from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential race and emerged as the sole candidate endorsed by the influential Turaki political camp.
Party sources disclosed that the waiver cleared procedural hurdles surrounding Jonathan’s expected return to frontline partisan politics, paving the way for his endorsement by members of the bloc during a high-level political meeting held on Wednesday.
The Turaki camp, made up of prominent PDP stakeholders and northern political figures, is said to have adopted the former president after consultations aimed at presenting a consensus candidate capable of uniting the opposition ahead of the next general election.
According to insiders, the decision followed weeks of negotiations among party leaders and political allies seeking to strengthen the PDP’s chances against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
A source familiar with the discussions said Jonathan’s endorsement was based on his experience, national appeal and perceived ability to attract support across regional and political divides.
Although the PDP has yet to officially confirm the development, several party loyalists reportedly welcomed the move, describing it as a strategic step toward rebuilding the opposition ahead of 2027.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has repeatedly remained a subject of speculation in national politics despite maintaining a relatively quiet public posture since leaving office.
Political observers believe his possible return could significantly reshape the dynamics of the presidential contest, especially within the opposition camp where consultations and alliances have intensified in recent months.
The emergence of the former president as the Turaki bloc’s preferred aspirant may also trigger fresh debates within the PDP over zoning, power rotation and the party’s electoral strategy.
Meanwhile, party stakeholders are expected to continue consultations as preparations for the presidential primaries gradually gather momentum.
The PDP leadership has consistently maintained that it remains focused on rebuilding internal unity and presenting a formidable challenge in the 2027 elections.
