2027 Tension: Fred Agbedi Says Goodluck Jonathan Cannot Declare Himself Presidential Candidate

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has said former President Goodluck Jonathan should not be the one to publicly announce any intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, insisting that such a decision rests with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Agbedi explained that the PDP is deliberately taking its time in deciding how and when to present Jonathan to Nigerians, describing the former president as one of the party’s most valuable political assets.

According to the lawmaker, the responsibility of unveiling a presidential candidate belongs to the party rather than the individual concerned.

“It is not the place of President Goodluck Jonathan to declare that, ‘I’m in the race, I’m running.’ The PDP, to which he belongs, has its own strategic way of wanting to present a precious candidate. President Goodluck Jonathan is a precious candidate and, in a society that desires to develop and grow, you don’t wait for someone to tell you, ‘I want to be president.’ You scout for a good candidate who can bring dividends of democracy, uphold the rule of law and win elections.

“What the PDP has been doing over time is to ensure that we bring our best into the 2027 presidential race. We have always said we want to specially package this candidate and present him to Nigerians in a way that has never been done before because President Goodluck Jonathan is a former president. This is the first time you are hearing about a former elected president being considered to return to the ballot. It is left for the party presenting him to publicly unveil him to Nigerians.”

Agbedi also commented on the PDP’s ongoing legal dispute with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), maintaining that the party is pursuing the matter through the courts in line with existing judicial decisions concerning its leadership.

He explained that after the Federal High Court ruled against the PDP in its suit seeking to compel INEC to upload the details of its interim leadership, the party filed an appeal and remains confident of a favourable outcome.

“We have been having a series of litigations. Based on judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, the Interim National Working Committee of the PDP came into being. When INEC did not upload our particulars to its portal, we went to court to enforce those judgments. The Federal High Court ruled against us, and we are on appeal. This matter is still in litigation.

“We have to ensure that we follow through the entire gamut of legal processes. So long as the litigation is going on, this is a live matter, and we believe victory will come at the end of the day.”

The Bayelsa lawmaker further argued that Jonathan remains a strong political figure whose leadership experience and international profile make him well-positioned to lead the country again.

He also criticised the current administration, claiming Nigeria has declined since the All Progressives Congress (APC) assumed power and asserting that the country needs an experienced leader with global recognition to restore its standing.