Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reportedly told members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who approach him about a possible 2027 presidential run to first resolve the internal crisis caused by the influence of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
This revelation was made by Arise News Director of News and Politics Editor, Sumner Sambo, during an interview on Jonathan’s political prospects ahead of 2027.
According to Sambo, while the PDP previously grappled with what was described as the “Atiku problem” before the exit of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the major challenge facing the opposition party today is the “Wike problem.”
Wike, who served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory under President Bola Tinubu, has continued to maintain close ties with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns about his loyalty to the PDP.
Sambo explained that decisive actions are expected in the coming weeks, particularly with the report of the Tom Ikimi-led National Disciplinary Committee, which is scheduled to be presented at the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting. The committee is expected to recommend disciplinary measures against members accused of betraying the PDP during the 2023 general elections.
He further noted that the upcoming NEC meeting carries significant weight, as the PDP’s National Secretary had signed the notice to INEC authorizing the NEC meeting but refused to sign the approval for the National Convention. This development has cast uncertainty over the convention, which is crucial for the party’s future.
Sambo added that the move appeared to validate Wike’s recent claim that the PDP’s National Convention would not hold, deepening the internal crisis.
Speaking on Jonathan’s possible candidacy, Sambo said: “What I’ve learned from people close to Jonathan is that he has asked those within the PDP who approach him to go back and fix the party, to fix the Wike problem in the party. They used to say PDP had an Atiku problem; now Atiku is out of the PDP. Let them also go and fix the Wike problem.”
Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, has not publicly declared interest in contesting in 2027, but his name continues to feature in discussions within the opposition bloc.
