The build-up to the 2027 presidential election has taken a dramatic turn as former President Goodluck Jonathan comes under mounting pressure from northern opposition groups to re-enter the political arena…..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Jonathan, who governed Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, has so far maintained silence, but speculations are intensifying that he could emerge as a leading challenger to President Bola Tinubu.
The former Bayelsa governor rose to power unexpectedly in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, later winning the 2011 election. However, he was ousted in 2015 by the then newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), marking the first time an incumbent president lost re-election in Nigeria.
Legal disputes over his eligibility have trailed him ever since. Some northern groups argued that Jonathan, having been sworn in twice, could not constitutionally return to power. But in May 2022, a Federal High Court in Yenagoa ruled otherwise, affirming his right to contest for president. That ruling fueled speculation ahead of the 2023 elections, especially after reports emerged that a Fulani group purchased the APC’s N100 million nomination form on his behalf. He ultimately declined to run.
Now, northern political actors are reviving the campaign for his return, largely because a Jonathan presidency would constitutionally allow only one term, effectively returning power to the North by 2031.
Yet, doubts persist about his chances. Prominent voices such as Senator Shehu Sani and activist Dele Farotimi argue that Jonathan’s time has passed and that Nigerians rejected him in 2015 for valid reasons. Lawyer Deji Adeyanju insists Jonathan has no interest in contesting, dismissing the rumours as political distractions.
Within the PDP, divisions are evident. While some party members believe Jonathan could be a unifying figure if he decides to run, others see him as a liability. Lagos PDP chieftain Dr Adetokunbo Pearse warned that Jonathan’s candidacy might spark endless litigations over eligibility and undermine the party’s chances.
Pearse also questioned Jonathan’s commitment to the PDP, noting his absence from party activities and financial contributions in recent years. Instead, he touted Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as a younger, tested alternative capable of defeating Tinubu in 2027.
For now, Jonathan’s silence only deepens the uncertainty. But as northern opposition intensifies its push, Nigeria’s 2027 presidential race is already shaping into a fierce contest between old power blocs and new-generation hopefuls…..CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
