2027 Presidency: Oshiomhole Advises Jonathan Against Contesting, Says PDP Too Weak to Compete
Story: written by Peterson October 6,2025
Oshiomhole Warns Jonathan Against 2027 Presidential Bid, Says His Enemies Want Him to Contest
Former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against joining the 2027 presidential race, saying that “only his enemies” would encourage him to do so.
Oshiomhole, who is also a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on October 5.
His comment comes amid growing speculation that the former President may join the 2027 presidential election, possibly to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) urging him to run.
Jonathan Should Protect His Image, Not Seek Political Comeback – Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole said that Jonathan, who was defeated by the APC in 2015 when he was the incumbent President, should avoid making another attempt that could tarnish his political reputation.
According to him, the PDP, which once dominated Nigeria’s political space, has lost significant influence and unity across the country.
“Jonathan was defeated by the APC even when the PDP was the ruling party. The South-South is no longer PDP. Where is he going to start from?” Oshiomhole asked while responding to questions from Channels TV host, Seun Okinbaloye.
The former APC chairman emphasized that Jonathan currently enjoys respect and goodwill across political divides, and contesting again would expose him to renewed criticism and possible defeat.
APC Leaders Rally Behind Tinubu’s Second Term Bid
While Oshiomhole urged Jonathan to stay away from the 2027 race, several APC leaders have already begun mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s second term ambition.
According to reports, the zonal executive committee of the APC has developed a strategic plan to ensure Tinubu’s re-election, describing his first term as one focused on “rebuilding Nigeria’s economy and restoring governance efficiency.”
Presidency Reacts to Reports of Jonathan’s Possible Comeback
Reacting to speculations that Jonathan might contest under the PDP or another platform, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said the Presidency welcomes healthy democratic competition but dismissed the rumours as “premature opposition desperation.”
Onanuga was responding to claims by former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, who reportedly stated that Jonathan was considering contesting in 2027 on the PDP ticket.
“We are once again regaled with a cacophony of voices, most of them full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” Onanuga said, paraphrasing William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Jonathan, Atiku, and El-Rufai Linked to Emerging ADC Coalition
Unconfirmed reports also suggest that former President Jonathan may be in talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a broader coalition of opposition forces seeking to challenge APC dominance in 2027.
The ADC is reportedly consulting with key political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, to form a united opposition front.
However, Atiku, through his media aide Paul Ibe, denied any plan to step down for another candidate, stressing that he remains focused on his political ambitions.
Meanwhile, El-Rufai predicted that President Tinubu would finish third in the 2027 election, claiming his political analysis shows no clear pathway for Tinubu’s victory.
“Tinubu will be third in the 2027 election. I’ve done my maths; there may not even be a clear winner in the first round,” El-Rufai stated during another edition of Sunday Politics on Channels Television.
