The reported 2027 ambition of former President Goodluck Jonathan has split the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-South into two camps, with the stakeholders holding divergent positions on the issue.

While some party members believed Jonathan should not contest against President Bola Tinubu, various political pressure groups drummed support for the ex-leader.

Aides to the former President have been quoted in the media that their principal was consulting on whether to throw his hat in the ring in 2027.

He was said to have been asked to contest the presidency by the PDP, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the African Democratic Congress. The PUNCH could not immediately confirm this.

Jonathan’s home state, Bayelsa, is awaiting the position of Governor Douye Diri on the issue as the ex-president’s reported ambition has divided the loyalists of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, in Rivers State, with the two camps taking opposite stance.

The Edo chapter of the party welcomes the prospect of having Jonathan on the ballot, describing him as a breath of fresh air.

Party leaders in Delta State equally pledged their support for the Bayelsa-born politician, while the PDP in Akwa Ibom State is waiting for Jonathan’s formal declaration before announcing its position.

To strengthen the party’s chances in 2027, the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, met with Jonathan in Bayelsa where they discussed his possible return to the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

Additionally, party leaders such as former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, former Minister of Information and National Orientation Jerry Gana, and others have publicly urged Jonathan and others to run under PDP.

However, Nigerians remain divided over Jonathan’s eligibility, following a 2018 constitutional amendment that prohibits anyone who has been sworn in twice in the past from contesting for the presidency or a governorship.

Sections 137(3) and 182(3) of the Constitution state that a person who has been sworn in to complete another person’s term as President or Governor may only be elected to that office for one additional term.

However, Jonathan’s office asserted that he could contest against Tinubu citing a 2022 court judgement which affirmed the ex -president’s right to run again.

The previously unpublished judgment delivered by a Federal High Court in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, confirmed that Jonathan was well qualified to contest the presidential election.

Speaking on Jonathan’s bid, the Edo State chapter of the PDP stated that his return to the party and national leadership would be a refreshing development.

The party Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, told The PUNCH in an interview that Jonathan is still regarded as one of the most qualified leaders in Nigeria’s history.

He said, “While Dr. Jonathan has not yet formally declared his intention to run, it is without doubt that he remains one of the most qualified leaders in our nation’s history.

“His tenure as President continues to stand as a reference point for good governance, national cohesion, and a better Nigeria.

“For us in the Edo PDP, his potential return to the saddle of leadership would come as a breath of fresh air for the country. As a party, we have always placed the collective interest of Nigerians above all else when making critical decisions.

“It would, therefore, be an honour and privilege for the Edo PDP to lead in rallying support for a government under the leadership of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, should he decide to run.”

The Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP was non-committal on Jonathan’s presidential ambition. Speaking to The PUNCH on Tuesday in Yenagoa, the acting Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, George Turnah, said Governor Diri is in the best position to provide a response.

He explained that, as the incumbent governor, Diri is the leader of the PDP in Bayelsa State and therefore holds the authority to speak on the matter.

“The governor is the leader of the party in the state. At that level, the governor will be in a better position to give a firm (answer) because usually he is the leader of the party in the state.

“As an individual, well, the story of President Jonathan is in the realm of speculation. There is really nothing for any of us to say now. It’s still in the realm of speculation. Whatever we say will be guesswork.’’

Continuing, he stated, ‘’For now, that’s what it is. When he comes out that he’s running, then we can now form a conversation, people can now form their opinions and build blocks and bridges. That’s when the conversation will begin.

“As a party official, holding a party position, because there will be other aspirants, it will not be right to, I’m speaking of me as a person, it is not expected that any officer of the party will hold any opinion.

“Our own responsibility will come immediately after candidates emerge. Once he becomes a property of the party, that’s where we take over. Until he becomes a property of the party, we are expected to be neutral.”

In Rivers State, the PDP faction loyal to Wike dismissed calls for Jonathan to contest, while the camp aligned with Fubara described it as a worthy move considering Jonathan’s record in office.

The state Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kenneth Yorwika, a Wike loyalist, told our reporter in a telephone chat that Jonathan had served his time and has been largely inactive in party affairs since leaving office in 2015.

He further noted that President Tinubu is performing creditably and making determined efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.

Yorwika stated, “First of all, Jonathan has not been an active member of the party. I don’t know whether in recent times anybody has seen him attending the activities of the party.

“So, the PDP in Rivers State, we have not even seen him in any of our activities recently. It is a far cry from the reality on the ground now. And then the PDP in Rivers State actually think that the President that we have now is doing all he can to make sure that there is an improvement in the livelihood of citizens of Nigeria.

“So, talking about the former President, he did his time and we actually believe he has done his time and his past. Talking about him and the PDP, he has not been in our activities. So, we have not seen him at all in any of our activities that we have been having recently.”

Robinson Ewor, the factional PDP Chairman loyal to Fubara, could not be reached for comment. But a party chieftain and former federal lawmaker from Rivers State, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, said Jonathan had every right to contest, noting that he performed creditably in office and is widely respected for his peaceful nature.

Nwuke, an ally of the suspended governor and former representative of Etche-Omuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, said the growing calls within the PDP and among Nigerians for Jonathan to run reflect the confidence the people have in him.

He noted that his time in office brought a measure of stability and that he possesses the qualities needed to provide the kind of leadership the nation desires now.

Nwuke stated, “I’m saying that as a person, Jonathan is entitled to contest. And it’s a good thing that within the PDP, there are growing demands for him to return to the ring. But I think the choice of whether or not to be a candidate will be his to make.