2027: PDP Disowns Jerry Gana On Pro-Jonathan Comment
The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party has discredited a statement credited to former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, about former President Goodluck Jonathan becoming the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The PDP said Gana does not have the authority of the party to issue such a statement.
The opposition party said it did not lack presidential materials for the next general election, as there were competent and performing governors from the south who could easily become its presidential candidate, if they so desired.
Gana had said on Saturday in Minna that Nigerians, having seen the disparity in their lives after eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari and two years under incumbent President Bola Tinubu, now knew better and wanted Jonathan to return.
The minister also confirmed that Jonathan would contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the PDP.
He had said, “In 2015, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said his ambition is 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 Ebele Jonathan.
“I can confirm that Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will contest the presidential election in 2027 as PDP candidate and you will vote for him to return as President again.”
But addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, said the former minister does not have the party’s authority to speak for the opposition party.
Ologunagba stated that the party is focused on its national convention and has qualified candidates to fly its flag in 2027.
He said, “Professor Jerry Gana doesn’t speak for the PDP. I don’t also speak for Professor Jerry Gana. People can express their opinion. But I will emphasise this. In this party, as we are Today, President Jonathan is a member; he has not said he’s not a member.
“But I can tell you, this party has eminently qualified Nigerians, particularly at the governors’ level, who have done exceedingly well, that Nigeria can tap on that and say, step up the place and do the right thing, because their performances in their states show their capacity, which is actually the DNA of the PDP.
‘’So, I don’t speak for President Jonathan. I don’t speak for Jerry Gana, with all due respect. But our party is focused on our convention and when we get to that bridge, we’ll cross it. Those should be semantics.”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
