Former President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is far from finished, describing the main opposition group as a “national institution” with the grit to survive its current internal turmoil.
Speaking on Tuesday during a high-level consultative meeting at his private office in Abuja, Jonathan hosted the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by the newly elected National Chairman, Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN. The discussions centered on the party’s “Rebirth Agenda” and a strategic roadmap for the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan emphasized that despite the emergence of several new political movements, the PDP holds a unique position in Nigeria’s history as the only major party to maintain its identity since the return to democracy in 1998.
“The PDP, being the only surviving original political party since 1998, has been a critical contributor to our democracy since 1999,” Jonathan remarked.
Reflecting on his own rise from a deputy governor in Bayelsa to the Presidency, he expressed a profound sense of duty to the platform that launched his career: “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.”
The visit comes at a time when the PDP is navigating complex legal battles and factional disputes. Dr. Turaki briefed the former president on efforts to unite the party, noting that while the leadership favors “dialogue over litigation,” they have been forced to defend the party’s integrity in court following suits by aggrieved members.
Jonathan urged the leadership to stay focused on the bigger picture, insisting that a stable democracy requires strong, institutionalized parties rather than those built around individual personalities.
As the party looks to reposition itself against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Jonathan’s endorsement serves as a significant boost to the Turaki-led NWC. The former president’s optimism stands in stark contrast to critics who have suggested the party is on the verge of collapse.
Dr. Turaki assured Jonathan that the “Rebirth Agenda” is designed to return the party to its grassroots origins, promising that the leadership remains committed to welcoming back estranged members once legal dust settles.
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