PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has disowned a comment by a former information minister, Prof Jerry Gana, on ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential bid speculation.
He had said Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election on the PDP platform, Nigeria’s leading opposition party, and defeat President Bola Tinubu to return to the saddle.
According to Gana, “I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate, and you will vote for him to return as president again.”
‘Gana doesn’t speak for PDP’
However, Ologuunagba told reporters on Monday in Abuja that the former minister does not speak for the party.
His words, “Professor Jerry Gana doesn’t speak for the PDP. I don’t also speak for Professor Jerry Gana.
“People can express their opinion. But I will emphasise this.”
He, however, said Jonathan remains a member of the PDP and has never stated otherwise.
Ologunagba said, “This party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors’ level, who have done exceedingly well that Nigeria can tap on that and say: step up the place and do the right thing because their performances in their states show their capacity, which is actually the DNA of the PDP.”
‘’So, I don’t speak for President Jonathan. I don’t speak for Jerry Gana, with all due respect. But our party is focused on our convention, and when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Those should be semantics,” he added.
Last week, Jonathan attended the stakeholders meeting of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in Abuja.
The presidency had said that Jonathan’s eligibility having been sworn in as President twice, and alleged dismal performance record, would haunt him if he chooses to re-contest next year.
It described Gana’s remarks as “absurd”, saying Jonathan would be misled by PDP figures into joining the race.
“Politicians of Jerry Gana’s ilk merely want to lure him into the race to satisfy their personal, political, religious, and ethnic interests,” the presidency said.
Some PDP chieftains, including Gana; Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; and Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south; had disclosed that the opposition party has been wooing Jonathan to vie for its presidential ticket.
There have been speculations that Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 2010 to 2015, intends to contest the 2027 election — but the former president has been mum on the matter.
Jonathan has served a single term of four years under the PDP banner, after completing the tenure of Umaru Yar’Adua, who died in office on May 5, 2010.
