Former President Goodluck Jonathan’s quiet political consultations ahead of the 2027 presidential election have hit a potential snag following a critical meeting with Senator David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in Abuja on Thursday.
Held at Mark’s residence, the closed-door meeting focused on Jonathan’s ambition to return to Aso Rock under the ADC platform. However, Jonathan did not receive the assurances he sought regarding an automatic presidential ticket. Mark insisted that Jonathan must formally register with the party and participate in the primary elections if he intends to contest under the ADC banner. The former president, who hoped for a firm commitment, left without any guarantees. Both parties agreed to reconvene at a later date to reassess the situation, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Jonathan is not the only political heavyweight considering the ADC as a launchpad for 2027. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi are also reportedly in talks with the party leadership. Yet, all three remain hesitant to fully commit to the ADC without concrete assurances of securing the presidential nomination. Analysts warn that making a premature commitment could be politically detrimental if any contender loses the primary.
Sources within the ADC reveal that Atiku currently controls up to 65–70 percent of the party’s structure, complicating the prospects for Obi and Jonathan to secure the ticket. Some party insiders have floated the idea of Obi serving as Atiku’s running mate, but none have yet pressed Atiku to relinquish his presidential ambition. Obi has consistently emphasized that power should remain in the South for equity reasons and has pledged to serve only one term if elected. Reportedly, he has also ruled out contesting any primary against Atiku, particularly in Adamawa State, making a joint candidacy possible only if Atiku steps down.
Within some ADC circles, Jonathan is seen as a possible compromise candidate because the constitutional two-term limit would confine him to a single term, which appeals to certain northern political interests. However, his strong support base in the South-East has now aligned firmly with Obi, thereby complicating Jonathan’s chances. With Atiku’s dominant influence over the party and a lack of a clear succession plan, securing an uncontested ticket remains a formidable challenge. According to a party insider, Jonathan faces “two major challenges — winning the ticket outright and gaining support in the North.”
Jonathan’s preference for the ADC platform also signals a likely departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he once led. His camp views the PDP as too “toxic,” citing internal crises and ongoing court battles. For now, the ADC remains his most viable option, but without a guaranteed ticket, his political comeback remains uncertain.
