Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani has warned former President Goodluck Jonathan against being drawn into efforts to revive the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that those calling on him to return are asking him to “carry the party’s coffin” rather than save it.
Sani made the remark while reacting to increasing calls from some PDP leaders and stakeholders urging Jonathan to play a central role in rebuilding the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the former lawmaker, the PDP’s challenges run far deeper than what can be resolved by the return of a former president.He argued that the party is grappling with longstanding internal crises, leadership disputes, defections, and declining public confidence, issues he believes require fundamental reforms rather than reliance on political personalities.
Sani maintained that Jonathan should carefully assess the political realities before associating himself with a party facing serious questions about its future direction and electoral viability. The outspoken politician suggested that the PDP’s current predicament is the result of years of unresolved internal contradictions and factional struggles, warning that any attempt to present Jonathan as a political saviour may ultimately damage rather than strengthen his reputation.
His comments come at a time when debates over the future of the PDP have intensified following a series of defections, internal disagreements, and concerns over the party’s ability to mount a formidable challenge in the next electoral cycle.
The opposition party has faced mounting pressure to rebuild its structures and regain the confidence of voters after successive political setbacks.
Sani’s intervention has added fresh momentum to discussions surrounding possible political realignments ahead of 2027, with analysts and party loyalists divided over whether Jonathan’s involvement would provide a lifeline for the PDP or further expose the depth of its internal troubles.
As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve, the debate over Jonathan’s potential role in opposition politics is expected to remain a major talking point in the build-up to the next general elections.
