Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has defended efforts by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to project former President Goodluck Jonathan as its preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the former leader should not be expected to publicly declare his ambition before the party officially unveils him.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE NEWS, monitored by The News Chronicle on Monday, Agbedi described Jonathan as the PDP’s “best” and “most valuable” potential candidate, arguing that it is the responsibility of a political party, not the aspirant, to present its presidential flag bearer.
Responding to questions over Jonathan’s silence amid growing speculation about a possible return to presidential politics, Agbedi said the former president was under no obligation to announce his intention to contest.
“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 presenting a precious candidate. President Goodluck Jonathan is a precious candidate and, in a society that desires progress, you don’t wait for someone to say, ‘I want to be president.’ You identify and persuade a capable candidate who can deliver the dividends of democracy, uphold the rule of law and win elections,” he said.
Agbedi maintained that the PDP was deliberately taking its time to prepare Jonathan’s possible return to the political stage.
“What the PDP has been doing is ensuring that we present our very best for the 2027 presidential election. We want to package this candidate and unveil him to Nigerians in a unique way because President Goodluck Jonathan is a former president. This is the first time an elected former president is being considered for a return to the ballot. It is the responsibility of the party to unveil him,” he added.
The lawmaker also defended the PDP’s ongoing legal battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying the party was only seeking to enforce existing court judgments relating to its leadership.
According to him, the Interim National Working Committee was constituted following judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, and the party approached the court after INEC allegedly failed to upload its leadership details to its portal.
“The Federal High Court ruled against us, and we have appealed. The matter is still before the court, and we believe justice will prevail at the end of the legal process,” he said.
Agbedi argued that Jonathan remains widely accepted across the country because of his experience as a former president and his international engagements since leaving office.
“President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is desired not only by members of the PDP but by many Nigerians. At this point in our history, the country needs someone with experience, capacity and knowledge. He has served before and has gained even more experience through his global engagements. Nigerians are beginning to realise that he is the leader the country needs,” he said.
He criticised the current administration, claiming that Nigeria had witnessed significant decline since the PDP lost power in 2015.
“Since Nigerians voted out the PDP and elected the APC, the country has gone backwards. To restore Nigeria’s place among respected nations, we need a leader with international credibility,” Agbedi stated.
He dismissed comparisons between Jonathan and former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, stressing that an elected civilian president derives legitimacy from the people, unlike a military head of state.
Agbedi further argued that Jonathan’s international responsibilities should not prevent him from returning to national politics.
“If President Jonathan is playing important roles on the global stage while Nigeria is struggling at home, then we should persuade him to return and help rebuild the country. Nigeria needs someone who understands democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
He also rejected suggestions that the campaign to draft Jonathan into the race had embarrassed the former president.
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“There is nothing embarrassing about people asking someone they believe in to serve. In politics, you either seek office yourself or people persuade you to contest because they believe you are the best person for the job. The latter is even more honourable,” he said.
Defending Jonathan’s continued silence, Agbedi insisted that the process of presenting a former president as a candidate differs from that of an ordinary aspirant.
“The way you present a former president is different from how an ordinary citizen declares for office. Did you see President Tinubu buying APC nomination forms himself? The process is different,” he said.
Asked whether Jonathan had endorsed those campaigning on his behalf, Agbedi said the former president had never publicly disowned them.
“If President Jonathan has not spoken, has he also rejected those speaking on his behalf? No, he has not. We are convinced that those promoting his candidacy are not acting without consultation,” he said.
On concerns that the prolonged speculation could benefit other opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Agbedi declined to reveal the PDP’s political strategy.
“Politics is about strategy. We cannot disclose everything. Elections are a process, and as we move closer to 2027, today’s fragmented opposition could become a united force against the ruling party,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Jonathan’s chances if eventually nominated, Agbedi concluded:
“Leave politics to politicians. We know what we are doing. Once President Goodluck Jonathan is on the ballot, I believe Nigerians who truly want a better country will support him. One man, one vote.”
