Former President Goodluck Jonathan may still enter the 2027 presidential race despite earlier signs that he had stepped away from active political contests.
Fresh political moves within the opposition camp suggest that the former Nigerian leader is quietly weighing his options ahead of the next general election.
Reports made available to POLITICS NIGERIA indicate that some of his loyalists have already secured Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms from a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as consultations continue behind closed doors.
The forms were reportedly obtained through the Kabiru Turaki-led bloc of the party after the faction regained recognition following recent legal developments within the PDP structure.
Sources close to Jonathan said the former president is waiting for the outcome of a legal dispute surrounding his eligibility to seek another term in office before making any public declaration.
The argument centres on whether Jonathan’s completion of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s tenure in 2010, followed by his own election victory in 2011, should be counted as two constitutional terms.
Supporters of the former president insist that Jonathan only won one presidential election as a candidate and should therefore remain qualified to contest again under the law.
A source familiar with the discussions said Jonathan would only proceed with his ambition if the court delivers a favourable ruling.
“If the court clears him, he will openly join the race. If not, the matter ends there,” the source reportedly disclosed.
The latest development is coming at a time when opposition parties are struggling with internal disagreements and leadership battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
Within the PDP, unresolved disputes over party control and strategy have continued to weaken preparations for the next presidential contest. Jonathan’s possible return is now expected to influence ongoing political calculations among opposition leaders.
There are also indications that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi recently held private talks with Jonathan as consultations among opposition figures intensify.
However, insiders claimed Obi may not have initially believed that Jonathan was seriously considering another presidential bid.
The development has already triggered mixed reactions across political circles. Some opposition figures believe Jonathan’s emergence could complicate efforts to build a united front against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Political conversations on social media have also been dominated by arguments over whether another Jonathan candidacy would strengthen or further divide the opposition.
Although there is no direct evidence linking Jonathan to the ruling camp, speculations about possible political alliances have continued to spread within the political space.
Sources further claimed that some influential northern politicians, particularly from the North-West, are encouraging Jonathan to contest. However, support for the project reportedly remains weak within parts of the South-South political establishment.
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and former Bayelsa State governor Seriake Dickson were among those said to be keeping their distance from the growing political movement.
There are also reports that former First Lady Patience Jonathan is not involved in the consultations surrounding the alleged comeback plan.
Some former aides who worked closely with Jonathan during his administration are equally said not to be participating in the emerging political structure ahead of 2027.
Political analysts believe that a favourable court judgment could significantly alter the opposition landscape and trigger fresh alignments across party lines before the election season fully begins.
Efforts to get an official response from Jonathan’s camp were unsuccessful as of the time this report was filed.