In a surprising turn of events, influential leaders from Nigeria’s northern region have begun efforts to persuade former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to enter the race for the 2027 presidential elections. This initiative, spearheaded by a governor from the North East and a retired General from the North West, aims to capitalize on Jonathan’s eligibility for a single four-year term, following his presidency from 2011 to 2015.
The movement is seen as a strategic response to concerns over President Bola Tinubu’s management of the country and his potential re-election. While some northern politicians rally behind Jonathan, a counter-group is advocating for another southern candidate, indicating a deepening divide within the political landscape.
The promoters of the move also believe that given the prevailing circumstances in the nation’s political space, Jonathan is sellable because of his goodwill across the three geopolitical zones in the South and because his candidature could galvanise maximum support in the 17 states in the axis.
The permutation is also that the southern support could complement the goodwill Jonathan still enjoys in most of the 19 states in the North nine years after his presidency.
It August this year, there was a report that certain leaders had tinkered with the possibility of persuading Jonathan to contest the 2027 race.
The initiative coincided with the position canvassed by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the Jonathan administration and current governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, that he would step down the possibility of running for president if Jonathan bowed to pressure to take a fresh shot at the presidency.
After an event organised by a pressure group, Save Africa Initiative (SAI), the governor was quoted as saying that Jonathan had more experience and would do a good job if he had another opportunity to lead the country.
“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 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially my boss, Goodluck Jonathan.