Influential leaders from the North have begun efforts to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race. This development poses a significant challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election with discontent about his leadership growing by the day.
A North East state governor and a retired General from the North West are spearheading the initiative, Sources have revealed.
They cite the 1999 Constitution, which allows a maximum of eight years of four years each for presidents, making Jonathan a great choice given that he is eligible for only one term of four years haven previously served a term as president.
Jonathan’s experience and leadership skills, as well as his goodwill across the South, make him an attractive candidate to northern leaders. His potential to garner support in 17 states is seen as a significant advantage.
Recall that in August, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed expressed his support for Jonathan. He said that he would step down his own presidential aspirations and back Jonathan “with his blood” if he decides to run.
He had said, “With regard to your call for me to present myself, I am still contemplating my chances as the leader of the opposition.
“I know there are good leaders within the PDP, especially my boss Goodluck Jonathan.
“I have always said that as long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for leadership of this country unless he decides not to run.
“If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood. Out of modesty, he is still not ready. I hope you will meet him and encourage him to run.
“He will do a better job because he has the experience. We know the prices of things; we know the level of inflation.
“During Jonathan’s regime, he was inclusive, addressing issues like the Almajiri system and creating initiatives for unemployed youths.
“His leadership recruitment was exemplary. We need leaders like him—young people with energy, foresight, and drive,” he said.
According to Tribune Newspaper, the Jonathan-for-2027 project has gained momentum, with intense lobbying of critical stakeholders across the six geopolitical zones. Civil and pro-democracy bodies, as well as pressure groups, are being courted to support the initiative.
However, not everyone is convinced. A counter-group comprising governors and influential politicians is rooting for another southern politician to take the top job. Both groups are united in their opposition to Tinubu’s re-election.
It can be recalled that similar attempts were made to drag Jonathan into the contest under the All Progressives Congress (APC) banner prior to the 2023 election. However, his spokesman, Ikechukwu Eze, maintained that Jonathan did not authorize the purchase of nomination forms for the contest.
“While we appreciate the overwhelming request by a cross-section of Nigerians for Dr Jonathan to make himself available for the 2023 presidential election, we wish to state that he has not in any way committed himself to this request.
“We wish to categorically state that Dr Jonathan was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it,” Eze stated.