Former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed deep satisfaction that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains strong, resilient, and active, despite ongoing defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Jonathan reaffirmed that the PDP continues to be a cornerstone of Nigeria’s democracy, standing as the only surviving legacy political party since 1998. He made the remarks while receiving members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Dr. Kabiru Turaki, SAN, at a high-level consultative meeting in his Abuja office yesterday.
The discussions centered on the party’s reconciliation efforts and strategic plans ahead of the 2027 general election. Jonathan emphasized that the PDP’s historical resilience and institutional strength equip it to overcome current internal challenges, describing it as more than just a political platform, but a national institution.
He stated, “The PDP, being the only surviving original political party since 1998, has been a critical contributor to our democracy since 1999. I have been a beneficiary of this party, which gave me the opportunity to serve as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and President.
“I am grateful to the party and will continue to contribute my quota because I feel deeply indebted to it.”
Jonathan urged the party’s leadership to place national interest and institutional development above personal considerations, stressing that strong political parties are essential to democratic stability.
Earlier, Turaki thanked Jonathan for his fatherly counsel and unwavering loyalty to PDP. He assured the former Nigerian leader that the current leadership of PDP was committed to a comprehensive “Rebirth Agenda” aimed at rebuilding and strengthening the party.
Turaki said, “We came to seek your guidance and to brief you on the prospects and challenges before the party. Our goal is to return power to the people and reposition the PDP as the party of the majority of Nigerians.
“We are reaching out to aggrieved members because a united PDP remains the most viable platform for a balanced and prosperous Nigeria.”
Members of the delegation included Dr. Mu’azu Aliyu, Professor Jerry Gana, Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, Hajiya Zainab Maina, Chief Mike Oghiadome, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, and other members of the NWC.
Explaining why the party leaders visited Jonathan, during a media briefing, Turaki said, “We came this evening to visit one of our very important leaders, former President of Nigeria, President Ebele Jonathan, GCFR PhD.
“First, to introduce members of the newly elected National Working Committee to him, and then to tell him what we’ve been doing since our election in the National Convention that was held last November in Ibadan.
“We’ve briefed him on the state of the party, the challenges, the prospects, and in this visit, we are accompanied by former governors, members of the Board of Trustees, founding fathers and founding mothers, Forum of State Chairmen, in addition to other leaders of the party that also includes former ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We have solicited, as usual, for his support, for his guidance, for his advice, as always. And we have his assurance that he’s still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he’s still active, and will even be more active these days in the activities and affairs of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“And he has assured us that PDP has done everything for him that can be done to an individual, and that he still feels that he remains obligated to PDP.
“And his remarks and statements are not only reassuring, but, indeed, they are very, very encouraging as we begin to prepare for elections, off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun this year and 2027 general election.”
Asked if Jonathan was worried that the legal battles and other issues confronting the party would affect the upcoming elections in Ekiti and Osun states, Turaki stated, “I did say that we informed him about the prospects and challenges and part of the challenges are the legal battles that we are facing and as a senior lawyer, I have been able also to explain to him the nitty-gritty of the matters that we are doing at the Court of Appeal and the prospects, as far as the party is concerned, and he is duly informed, and notwithstanding that, he still believes, just like all of us do, that PDP is the party for Nigerians.”