Former Minister of Information and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Professor Jerry Gana, has said Nigerians are yearning for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2027 general election.
Gana, who spoke on Saturday in Minna during the PDP state congress in Niger, said Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the PDP.
“In 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan said his ambition was not worth the blood of Nigerians. After him, another president ruled for eight years and now another has ruled for two years. Nigerians have seen the difference, and the difference is very clear. Nigerians are now asking us to bring back our friend, former President Goodluck Jonathan. I can confirm that he will contest in 2027 as the PDP candidate,” Gana said.
The PDP chieftain stressed that the party remained democratic and rooted in the grassroots, adding that its people-oriented programmes continued to endear it to Nigerians. He dismissed insinuations of a crisis in the party, recalling that its founding fathers had previously addressed internal disagreements through a consultative conference.
Gana also criticised the federal government’s economic policies, accusing it of discouraging foreign investment. “This government has a number of evil gatekeepers keeping away investors. That’s their major problem. Nigeria is the best place to grow your money,” he said.
At the congress, Alhaji Aliyu Halidu emerged as the new PDP state chairman after securing 1,289 votes to defeat the party’s zonal chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Abdullahi, who polled 1,269 votes. Halidu replaces Tanko Beji.
Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki, announced that eight positions were contested while others were returned unopposed. Alhaji Khadi Kuta, a former commissioner, was returned as Secretary unopposed, while Mrs. Salome Ndakosu won the women leader position with 1,373 votes against Ramotu Jibrin, who polled 590 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Halidu pledged to strengthen the party and position it to win the 2027 elections. “PDP is strong at the grassroots. PDP is ready to dislodge the ruling party in 2027. I implore members to join hands to ensure the return of a people-oriented government,” he said.
