Wadata Plaza, the venue of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja scheduled to take place on Monday has been flooded by banners and posters of former President Goodluck Jonathan, calling for his return to power in 2027.
Eyewitnesses at the PDP national secretariat confirmed that the posters, mounted by yet-to-be-identified individuals, urged Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race against incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The move has sparked excitement, curiosity, and debate within political circles.
One of the posters boldly read: “Jonathan 2027 — The Return of a True Democrat.” Others carried inscriptions urging Nigerians to rally behind him for what they described as “a rescue mission.”
Although Jonathan himself has not made any public comment on the development, the posters revived memories of his dramatic exit from office in 2015, when he conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) — a decision that earned him global accolades for putting Nigeria’s democracy above personal ambition.
Since leaving office, Jonathan has played the role of an elder statesman, mediating conflicts across Africa and leading several international democratic missions. However, within the PDP, periodic calls for his return have surfaced, especially with discontent over governance under the APC.
“This is a clear sign that many Nigerians are still nostalgic about Jonathan’s leadership style,” a party source told our correspondent. “His humility in 2015 and the relative stability of his administration are qualities people feel are missing today.”
The posters also reflect ongoing conversations in Nigeria’s political space, where some stakeholders believe the 2027 election could present Jonathan with a path to a comeback. His candidature, if declared, could reshape the PDP’s strategy and national discourse ahead of the polls.
The PDP leadership has yet to officially respond to the emergence of the banners, but the development underscores growing anticipation about who will fly the party’s flag in 2027.
For now, Jonathan remains silent — but the message from Wadata Plaza is loud: many within the PDP fold want him back.
