The National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Debo Olugunagba, has clarified his recent remarks about former President Goodluck Jonathan, saying his comments were misinterpreted.
Olugunagba spoke this while fielding questions on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday.
He said that the PDP constitution allows any member in good standing to aspire to any position, including the presidency.
Recall that former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, had disclosed that Jonathan will contest again in 2027.
According to him, Jonathan will contest in the next presidential election, as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
However, Olugunagba noted that while the party has zoned the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, no decision has been made restricting the contest to governors.
He emphasised that he was not speaking on behalf of the party regarding its eventual choice of presidential candidate but stressed that all members who meet the requirements remain eligible to contest.
Olugunagba said: “The background to your question. But again, let me go straight with the comments that you reference to Professor Jerry Ghana. I’m glad that you said his opinion. And of course, he’s entitled to his… He’s a former official of this party and a founding father. Of course, we respect his view. That is the beauty of democracy.
“Under the PDP, we have the freedom to express our opinions. And of course, it remain as such. When the party takes a decision, then the decision of the party will be communicated.
“Let me put a premise here. There are misconception among party members, and, of course, by Nigerians and people sometimes try to misinform. The Peoples Democratic Party is governed by its constitution, and we follow that to the letter. Now anybody can aspire to be anything under the platform of the party and for the position of the presidency, of course, interestingly, the party has zoned it to the south.
“President Goodluck Jonathan is a member of the party. He has not said he’s not a member, so it’s within his right to aspire to any position if he’s in good standing with the party, and I have no reason to believe that he’s not in good standing.
“What I said was that, aside from the name of President Jonathan that is being bandied around and been mentioned, I said, in the rank of the PDP, there are many qualified, exceedingly qualified individuals among members of our party, among the governors of the party, and many of whom have demonstrated capacity in their performances and achievement.
“So that is the clearest case that is necessary to be made. I was not speaking for the party. To the extent that the party has taken a decision that the presidential candidate will come from among the rank of the governors, but if it does come from among the rank of the governors, of course, they are qualified, and they are eminently so qualified.”
