Former President Goodluck Jonathan Under Pressure to Join 2027 Race Amid Political Calculations Targeting Northern Appeal

 

Former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has become the subject of rising political interest as speculations grow regarding a possible comeback bid in the 2027 general election. Bashir Ahmad, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, recently took to social media to raise concerns over what he described as "subtle but growing" efforts by some political actors to drag Jonathan back into the presidential arena.

Ahmad, in a statement released on Monday via his verified X account, claimed that influential power brokers are actively lobbying Jonathan to run against the incumbent, President Bola Tinubu. These individuals, he said, believe Jonathan holds a unique political advantage in the North, a region seen as pivotal in determining the outcome of national elections.

Describing the ongoing efforts as politically calculated rather than ideologically driven, Ahmad argued that those backing Jonathan’s possible candidacy are not doing so based on a concrete development agenda or national interest. Instead, he asserted, their strategy hinges on the notion that Jonathan, being limited to one constitutionally permitted term, would serve as a transitional figure who could facilitate a more favorable power rotation in subsequent elections.

“They calculate that his candidacy will be easy to market in the North under the guise that he would only serve a single term,” Ahmad wrote. “But the troubling part is that this push is not rooted in what he would offer the North or the country at large, but merely in political convenience and power rotation.”

The commentary has sparked renewed debate within political circles, as observers weigh the implications of a Jonathan return. Several analysts argue that the mere idea of fielding Jonathan could reshape the 2027 political terrain. With widespread perception that Northern Nigeria remains key to electoral success, the belief that Jonathan's persona could draw significant Northern support has placed him in the spotlight once again.

Supporters of the idea see Jonathan as a candidate who embodies a conciliatory figure capable of bridging regional divides. They point to his past record of peaceful transition of power in 2015 as evidence of his democratic maturity and national appeal. Moreover, proponents believe that a Jonathan candidacy would appease key Northern stakeholders, given the perception that his presidency would be limited to a single term, thereby clearing the path for a Northern return to power by 2031.

Despite this, Ahmad’s remarks raise uncomfortable questions about the motivations behind such political maneuvers. “The North deserves more than being used as a political ladder,” he warned, indicating dissatisfaction with what he considers a transactional use of Northern political capital.

As the country inches closer to another election season, discussions around zoning, term limits, and national unity are intensifying. President Tinubu, who succeeded President Buhari in 2023, is widely expected to seek reelection. However, the suggestion that Jonathan may be a viable challenger speaks volumes about both the fluid nature of Nigerian politics and the persistent influence of regional power dynamics.

Notably, Jonathan has remained relatively silent on the matter. His public appearances in recent months have been more diplomatic than political, with his engagements largely focused on peacebuilding, electoral reforms across Africa, and international mediation. Yet, insiders suggest that backdoor consultations are already ongoing, and that some political heavyweights are actively pursuing an alliance that could make Jonathan’s return a reality.

Jonathan's candidacy, if it materializes, would be historically significant. It would mark the first time a former president who lost re-election returned to contest after handing over power peacefully. Constitutional experts are quick to note that having already served one full term, Jonathan is eligible to run for only one more term under Nigerian law.

The coming months may reveal more about Jonathan’s political intentions. For now, however, the suggestion of his return has sparked both intrigue and skepticism. Whether he chooses to accept the growing pressure or continue his statesman-like detachment from partisan politics remains to be seen.

As the 2027 presidential race begins to gather steam, the focus on Jonathan reflects a deeper reality: Nigeria’s political future is still being shaped by the past, with power brokers keen to rewrite the next chapter using familiar characters and calculated strategies.