2027 Presidency: Jonathan Says He’ll Consult Widely, ADC, Others React

Reactions have continued to trail former President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration that he would consult widely before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan made the remark while addressing a group of supporters who visited his office in Abuja to urge him to join the 2027 presidential race.

While the African Democratic Congress (ADC) described the prospect of Jonathan joining the race as “interesting”, the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde welcomed the development.

However, the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) advised the former president against contesting the election, while former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed doubts over Jonathan’s possible participation in the race.

Yesterday’s appeal for Jonathan to contest marked the second such move by his supporters within two months.

His visit to ADC leaders in September last year had also fuelled speculation about his political intentions.

Before then, former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido had described Jonathan as the PDP’s best chance of returning to power.

Ahead of the 2023 election, another support group had similarly urged the former president to seek the office. Although Jonathan remains a member of the crisis-ridden PDP, he rarely participates in party activities.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after assuming office following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He later won the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the PDP.

In 2015, he lost his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), becoming the first sitting Nigerian president to concede defeat at the polls — a move widely praised locally and internationally as a milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

Since leaving office, Jonathan has remained active in diplomacy and peacebuilding efforts across Africa, often serving as a mediator in regional political crises.

‘I’ll Consult Widely’ — Jonathan

Addressing the group yesterday, Jonathan said contesting for Nigeria’s highest office was a serious undertaking that could not be approached lightly.

“Contesting the Nigerian presidency isn’t a computer game,” he said, dismissing growing speculation about a possible comeback.

The former president noted that although he had been receiving messages of support, particularly from young Nigerians, he would not rush into making a political decision without broad consultations.

“I’ve heard from young people, and I’ll consult. I cannot just wake up and decide I want to be president of Nigeria again,” Jonathan said.

He added: “Like I said, I’ll consult, and if there’s a need, I will.”

Reacting to the development, the national publicity secretary of the ADC, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, described Jonathan’s possible entry into the race as one that could reshape the political landscape.

“It would be an interesting development. It would bring new dynamics to the race,” Abdullahi told LEADERSHIP Friday.

Similarly, the Makinde-backed PDP faction led by Tanimu Turaki said it hoped Jonathan would eventually join the contest.

The faction’s national publicity secretary, Ini Ememobong, said: “It’s a welcome development which will enrich the political space in the country. Jonathan is an excellent gentleman whose leadership and academic credentials are untainted. We hope his consultations will culminate in his declaration to contest the presidency.”

Attempts to get reactions from the APC and the Mohammed Abdulrahman-led PDP faction were unsuccessful.

Jonathan Should Stay Away — NPSA

Meanwhile, the president of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA), Prof Hassan Saliu, advised Jonathan against contesting the 2027 election, although he acknowledged the former president’s right to consult widely.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Friday in Ilorin, Saliu said: “He is free to do that, but if I am to advise him, I will say he should stay away from it.”

According to him, Jonathan currently enjoys renewed public goodwill and should avoid risking his reputation.

“Providence may have provided former President Jonathan with an opportunity for reflection on his tenure and a window in which his earlier missteps are being reassessed more leniently. He would be well advised to exit the political stage at this point while that goodwill persists,” he said.

Saliu also questioned the political platform Jonathan could use if he decides to run.

“The question remains: on which party platform would he contest? Certainly not the APC. The remaining parties are grappling with both self-inflicted and externally imposed challenges,” he added.

He further argued that Jonathan’s possible ambition might not sit well with some sections of the South-East political establishment pursuing the presidency.

“If he proceeds, he risks being perceived as having betrayed the region, particularly given that the South-East consistently supported him during his time in office,” he said.

Saliu added that contesting against an incumbent Southern president could also weaken Jonathan’s regional support base and raise questions about Southern political solidarity.

“He should, therefore, jettison the idea and retain his restored integrity,” he stated.

Okorie Questions Feasibility of Jonathan’s Return

Former All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) national chairman Chief Chekwas Okorie also expressed doubts about Jonathan’s chances of contesting in 2027.

Speaking with a news medium, Okorie said the former president’s political path was more complicated than many assumed.

“I’ve not seen it to know the context in which he said that, because I am aware that he may not be favourably disposed to contesting. Which party will he use to contest?” he asked.

According to Okorie, Jonathan’s continued membership of the PDP and the party’s lingering internal crisis could complicate any comeback plan.

“He’s a member of the PDP. Is he going to resign from the PDP that made him president and move to another party? And even if he does, is he going to contest on a PDP platform that is still in crisis with unresolved court issues?” he queried.

Okorie also questioned whether returning to partisan politics aligned with Jonathan’s current status as an international statesman.

“Is it right for him, having left office gloriously and attained such heights internationally and at home as a renowned statesman, to go back into the muddy waters of politics?” he asked.

He further argued that electoral regulations requiring early party registration could become a major obstacle.

“If he is consulting, he will be consulting late. To leave and join another party and still be eligible to contest, his name must be on that party’s register before the deadline. That is INEC guideline and electoral law,” he said.

Okorie concluded that while Jonathan remained widely respected, a return to the presidential race still appeared unlikely.

“If he throws his hat into the ring, I will be surprised. It would be a very big matter. I don’t know what to make of it,” he added.

Jonathan lacks momentum to win – Ameh

The national chairman of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and former chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Chief Peter Ameh, has described Jonathan’s consultations as necessary and commendable.

“Former President Jonathan, like every eligible Nigerian, has the constitutional right to contest any election if he chooses to do so. This right must be respected without intimidation or undue pressure,” Ameh said.

However, he argued that Jonathan currently lacks the nationwide momentum required to win a fiercely contested presidential election.

“Success in presidential politics demands more than experience or name recognition; it requires a strong, organic wave of public support across key regions and demographics — a momentum that is not yet evident in his favour,” he stated.

Similarly, a political science lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr Christian Okeke, urged those pressuring Jonathan to contest to stop what he described as unnecessary distraction.

“Those pushing Jonathan can do better and halt the distraction,” he said.

Okeke questioned the timing of the renewed calls, noting that political parties were already preparing for their primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

“How can we be at a stage where parties are already preparing for primaries and people are disturbing a man who most likely prefers his peace to carrying the problems of the country on his shoulders again?” he asked.

He added that worsening national conditions could discourage Jonathan from returning to active politics.

“Things have gone so bad in the country that Jonathan may not even be convinced to step into the ring,” he said.

Women’s group urges focus on national development

Meanwhile, the Women’s Inclusion, Empowerment and Leadership Development Initiative (WIELD-I), through Comrade Amarachi Evangel Okeke, stressed that every eligible Nigerian had the constitutional right to seek public office.

The group, however, urged political actors to focus discussions ahead of 2027 on national development issues.

“At a time when Nigerians are facing serious economic and social challenges, political discussions ahead of 2027 must focus on competence, accountability, national unity, economic recovery, security, and policies that improve the lives of citizens, especially women and young people,” the group stated.

WIELD-I further urged political leaders and aspirants to prioritise national interest above personal ambition and ensure that the democratic process remained peaceful, issue-based and inclusive.