As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential elections, influential power brokers from the northern region are making moves to draft former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the race. The initiative is being spearheaded by a North East state governor and a retired general from the North West, both of whom are rallying support to position Jonathan as a viable candidate.
The decision to propose Jonathan stems from an understanding that he is eligible for a single four-year term, having previously served as president from 2011 to 2015. The groups involved believe that the political landscape requires a fresh candidate to counter the second term ambitions of the current president, Bola Tinubu. This push appears to be part of a broader strategy to unify northern interests and disrupt Tinubu’s plans for re-election.
However, there exists a counter movement that favors another southern candidate, illustrating the complex dynamics within Nigerian politics. The competing factions reflect a divided opinion among politicians and governors about the future leadership of the country.
The lobbying efforts for Jonathan’s candidacy are still in exploratory stages, but insiders indicate that significant outreach has begun to garner support from various stakeholders across Nigeria. The northern leaders involved in this initiative are reportedly from diverse political backgrounds and are united in their aim to challenge what they perceive as Tinubu’s mismanagement of the nation.
Jonathan, who was also the Vice President from 2007 to 2010, is seen as a unifying figure with considerable goodwill across Nigeria. His supporters argue that his previous experience, coupled with his diplomatic engagements post-presidency, positions him as a candidate who can potentially appeal to voters in both the northern and southern regions.
Notably, Bala Mohammed, the current governor of Bauchi State and a former minister under Jonathan, has publicly stated his willingness to step aside for Jonathan should he decide to run. During a recent event organized by the Save Africa Initiative (SAI), Mohammed emphasized Jonathan’s extensive experience and ability to lead effectively, stating, As long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for the leadership of this country unless he decides not to run.
The former president’s appeal is further amplified by his past tenure, during which he managed significant national issues, including economic challenges and political instability. His supporters believe that Jonathan’s leadership style and commitment to democratic principles could attract substantial backing in the upcoming elections.
There have been prior attempts to draft Jonathan into the political fray, especially during the 2023 presidential race, with some factions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) suggesting he could be a strong candidate. However, those efforts were quashed, and Jonathan himself maintained a distance from these initiatives, citing a lack of commitment to run.
His spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, reiterated that Jonathan was not involved in any plans for the APC nomination, highlighting the former president’s focus on peace and democratic engagement rather than partisan politics.
As discussions continue and political alignments evolve, it remains to be seen whether the northern groups can successfully rally support for Jonathan and whether he will accept the call to return to political office. His potential candidacy could reshape the political landscape as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections, and the implications of his return would be significant for both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the broader political fabric of the nation.
In the meantime, the race for Nigeria's presidency is heating up, and the coming months will be crucial for determining the candidates who will vie for the nation's highest office.