Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pledged to take a more active role in the activities and affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki.
Turaki disclosed this while addressing journalists after a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Tuesday.
Turaki arrived at Jonathan’s Maitama office alongside the entire National Working Committee, former governors, founding fathers, and a few selected state chairmen at about 5:45 pm in six SUVs.
The meeting lasted approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
Recall that reports emerged in some major media outlets last year suggesting that former President Jonathan might seek re-election in 2027.
However, the former president has neither confirmed nor denied those reports.
Speaking in the company of other party leaders, Turaki noted that not all political crises can be resolved through the courts.
He stated, “We came this evening to visit one of our very important leaders, former President of Nigeria, President Ebele Jonathan, first, to introduce members of the newly elected National Working Committee to him, and then to tell him what we have been doing since our election at the National Convention held last November in Ibadan.
“We briefed him on the state of the party, the challenges, and the prospects. On this visit, we were accompanied by former governors, members of the Board of Trustees, founding fathers and founding mothers, the Forum of State Chairmen, in addition to other leaders of the party, including former ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We solicited, as usual, his support, guidance, and advice. We received his assurance that he is still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains active, and will be even more active in the activities and affairs of the PDP.
“He also assured us that the PDP has done everything for him that can be done for an individual and that he still feels obligated to the party. His remarks and statements were not only reassuring but very encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year, as well as the 2027 general elections.”
When asked about the former President’s recommendations for resolving the PDP crisis, Turaki said Jonathan offered valuable suggestions that would not be made public but would be acted upon accordingly.
The PDP chairman reaffirmed that the party remains the strongest and most credible platform for contesting and winning elections in Nigeria.
He continued, “We remain the leading opposition party in this country, and this new leadership of the PDP is taking the party back to the people, who are the true owners of the party. In doing so, there will be a level playing field, inclusivity, and an end to impunity.
“We will not allow people to take what does not belong to them. We will listen to Nigerians. Whatever Nigerians want is what we will give them. Whatever Nigerians want is what they will have as far as this leadership is concerned.
“This is the party that belongs to the Nigerian people, and that is why we are called the Peoples Democratic Party. So, we informed the former President about the prospects and challenges facing the party, including the legal battles.
“As a senior lawyer, I explained to him the details of the matters at the Court of Appeal and the prospects for the party. He is fully informed and still believes, as we all do, that the PDP is the party for Nigerians.”
On the possibility of political solutions to the party’s crisis, Turaki said the leadership would only engage with individuals who are genuinely willing to reconcile.
He continued, “Even when you win a war, you must still win the battle. I believe not every political disagreement should go to court. However, all the cases before the courts were instituted against the PDP, not by the PDP. We have a responsibility to defend the party.
“After the legal processes, we will still engage those who show remorse and willingness to remain loyal party members. When we were sworn in, we stated clearly that we would reach out to all aggrieved members. We need all hands on deck for the task ahead.
“We will sit down with those genuinely interested in reconciliation. We will reconcile and move forward together as one big PDP family.”
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