The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s sole presidential aspirant, will alter the country’s political calculations and trigger fresh strategic thinking across party lines.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led interim factional National Working Committee of the PDP had on Tuesday granted automatic clearance to Jonathan as the sole presidential aspirant.
Reacting, the ADC said Jonathan’s decision to join the presidential race will alter the country’s political calculations and trigger fresh strategic thinking across party lines.
Speaking via its 𝕏 account, the party stated that Jonathan’s potential candidacy introduced a new layer of complexity for both the ruling All Progressives Congress and opposition parties preparing for 2027.
The party said, “Jonathan’s possible return will shake the PDP, disturb APC calculations, unsettle Labour Party sympathisers, and force every political camp to rethink strategy.
“Whether people like him or not, GEJ remains one of the few Nigerian politicians whose name still carries national emotion. Some remember him for peacefully conceding defeat. Others criticise his administration. But nobody can deny that his entrance into the race changes the conversation.”
The ADC further described the reported clearance as more than an internal PDP affair, arguing that it signalled the return of old political forces ahead of what could become one of Nigeria’s most fiercely contested elections since 1999.
“The PDP screening committee clearing former President Goodluck Jonathan on waiver to contest the 2027 presidential election is not just another party headline.
“It is a political signal. It means one thing clearly: the old forces are returning to the battlefield, and every major bloc is now preparing for a serious national contest,” the party stated.
The ADC argued that the former president’s perceived moderation and national appeal could pose a fresh challenge to President Bola Tinubu and the APC, especially amid rising public frustration over inflation, insecurity, and the cost-of-living crisis.
“For APC, this is another headache. Tinubu is already battling public anger over hardship, insecurity, inflation, and broken expectations.
“Now imagine facing a former president with nostalgia value, a soft public image, and a familiar national network. That is not a small challenge,” the party added.