By Osaretin Osadebamwen
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan is the most suitable candidate to lead Nigeria in 2027, claiming the country’s fortunes have deteriorated under the administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during a television interview, on Arise TV, Agbedi said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is working towards presenting Jonathan as its preferred presidential candidate despite the former president not featuring on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) published list of presidential candidates.
According to him, Jonathan’s absence from the list should not be interpreted as an indication that he is out of the 2027 presidential race. He explained that the PDP has adopted what he described as a strategic approach to unveiling its preferred candidate.
Agbedi said the party considers Jonathan a “special candidate” because of his status as a former elected president, adding that his eventual presentation would follow a process different from that of other aspirants.
He disclosed that the PDP is pursuing legal action over the recognition of its leadership and submissions to INEC, expressing confidence that the courts would ultimately resolve the dispute in the party’s favour.
Agbedi claimed that many Nigerians now regret voting the PDP out of power in 2015, arguing that the country’s economic, security and governance challenges have worsened under successive APC administrations.
He further contended that Nigeria has experienced significant decline under the APC, making a Jonathan return to the presidency an appropriate option for restoring good governance and national development.
The lawmaker said Jonathan’s years of international diplomatic engagements since leaving office have further strengthened his leadership credentials, describing the former president as an experienced statesman capable of rebuilding Nigeria’s global reputation.
Responding to concerns over Jonathan’s continued silence on the reported presidential bid, Agbedi insisted that the former president would be formally unveiled by the party at the appropriate time. He maintained that political parties are entitled to persuade capable leaders to contest elections.
Agbedi also dismissed suggestions that the campaign to draft Jonathan into the race was damaging the former president’s reputation, arguing that respected leaders are often called upon to return to public service when their experience is needed.
On the ongoing leadership dispute within the PDP, the Minority Leader said the party remains committed to resolving the matter through the courts, insisting that due process would determine which faction is eventually recognised by INEC.
He expressed optimism that the PDP’s legal and political strategies would position the party strongly ahead of the 2027 general election, while reiterating his belief that Jonathan remains the party’s best option to lead Nigeria if eventually presented as its presidential candidate.
