Northern PDP Group Declares Jonathan Presidential Candidate, Backs Damagum’s Leadership Ahead of 2027
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that in what appears to be a major political statement ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Northern Support Group has reaffirmed its total support for the party’s Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Iliya Umar Damagum, while declaring that former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, remains its choice for the PDP presidential ticket.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the declaration was made in a communiqué issued at the end of the group’s 8th Northern Support Group Meeting held in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, between Wednesday, October 8 and Thursday, October 9, 2025.
The meeting, which drew representatives and leaders from all northern states, focused on repositioning and strengthening the PDP to ensure victory in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
According to the communiqué signed by Hon. Yusuf Abubakar, the Northern Coordinator, and Hon. Adamu Ahmed Narayi, the North-West Zonal Secretary, the group expressed full confidence in the current leadership of the party and commended Damagum for his reconciliation efforts aimed at restoring unity, discipline, and cohesion within the PDP.
The group declared that there was “no going back” on Goodluck Jonathan as the PDP’s presidential candidate for 2027, describing him as a symbol of peace, unity, and progress. It urged all loyal party members to rally behind Jonathan and begin nationwide mobilisation and strategic engagement to ensure his emergence and success in the election.
“Former President Jonathan remains one of Nigeria’s most patriotic leaders who sacrificed personal ambition for national peace by peacefully handing over power after the 2015 elections. He is the right man to redeem the image of our great party in 2027,” the communiqué stated.
Dismissing concerns about Jonathan’s eligibility to contest again, the group maintained that the matter had long been settled and could no longer serve as a political distraction.
However, the communiqué expressed concern over the activities of some PDP leaders and elders accused of working against the unity of the party for selfish or external interests.
It specifically alleged that certain members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were collaborating with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The group further accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of deliberately sowing division within the PDP while serving in the APC government.
It condemned Wike’s alleged recruitment of party members to advance his personal political interests, describing his actions as detrimental to the PDP’s unity and survival.
The communiqué called on Damagum to enforce strict disciplinary measures against any stakeholder whose conduct undermines the party’s image or structure, stressing that party supremacy must be upheld above individual ambitions.
Reaffirming that the PDP still enjoys massive grassroots support across the North, the group urged party members to focus on rebuilding structures, restoring lost glory, and taking bold steps toward achieving unity and progress.
The PDP Northern Support Group concluded by pledging unwavering loyalty to the party’s leadership and commitment to building a cohesive, united, and formidable platform capable of reclaiming power in 2027.
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