Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Saturday, May 30, 2026, Ememobong cited the political experiences of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari and Ghanaian President John Mahama as examples of leaders who eventually returned to power after earlier defeats at the polls.
According to Ememobong, democratic politics often gives voters the opportunity to reassess former leaders based on changing national realities and public expectations. He stated that both Buhari and Mahama were once rejected by voters before later securing electoral victories.
“The same people rejected Buhari multiple times and later elected him. The same people who rejected John Mahama in Ghana reelected him,” Ememobong said during the interview.
His comments come amid growing discussions within the PDP over reports that a faction of the party is considering Jonathan as a preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election, despite the former president not officially declaring his intention to contest.
Ememobong maintained that voter sentiment is not fixed and can change depending on political, economic, and social conditions. He argued that past electoral losses should not be interpreted as permanent rejection by the electorate.
The PDP spokesman further noted that democratic systems across Africa and beyond have repeatedly shown that former leaders can regain public confidence when citizens believe they are capable of addressing current national challenges.
The remarks have added to the ongoing internal debates within the PDP concerning leadership direction, succession plans, and strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections, which political observers expect to be highly competitive.
Jonathan has yet to publicly respond to the growing calls from some PDP stakeholders urging him to return to active presidential politics.
