Former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s camp has opened talks with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, seeking to woo the former Kano governor into a potential alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

A competent source confirmed to Vanguard that Kwankwaso’s team has already met Jonathan’s emissaries, with both camps tabling “minimal demands” in pursuit of a deal.

According to insiders, Kwankwaso’s camp is demanding the vice-presidential ticket as part of any alliance.

“While Jonathan’s team is not outrightly opposed to working with Kwankwaso, no final position has been taken on the demand,” the source disclosed.

Jonathan’s strategists are said to be weighing alternative options, including picking a younger northern governor to galvanise the region’s youth vote.

The bigger challenge for Jonathan, however, lies in choosing the right political platform.

Although both the PDP and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are open to hosting his comeback bid, factional battles in the two parties could complicate his path.

In the PDP, some leaders favour Jonathan’s return, but camps loyal to Nyesom Wike, now aligned with the APC, remain firmly opposed.

Within the ADC, Jonathan enjoys the loyalty of several top figures, but Atiku Abubakar is also said to be eyeing the party’s ticket, raising concerns about internal clashes.

A close ally admitted Jonathan was caught in a dilemma.

The source said, “Jonathan is both optimistic and confused about his chances in the PDP and the ADC. Some of his competitors still have remote control over both parties, making it dicey for him to settle for any of them as a platform for 2027.”

The source stated that the ADC, now under the recognised leadership of David Mark, had become a fallback option. Still, Jonathan’s sentimental attachment to the PDP makes it his likely choice.

The source added, “It is a fact that at the moment, the ADC is made up of mostly Goodluck Jonathan’s ‘boys’ who are ready to offer him the platform to run but the point is that Atiku is also angling for the same platform, even though he does not seem to have a foothold on the party like Jonathan.

“But it is getting clearer and clearer by the day that the former president would likely pitch his tent with the PDP, given the fact he has very strong sentiments for the party and most of those who left the party did so to protest Wike’s takeover of its structures.”