A firm denial from the camp of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has intensified speculation that he is considering a bid to return to power in the 2027 presidential election.
The denial was issued by Mr Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, who described a recent media report claiming the former leader had abandoned any plans to contest the election as “completely false” and “misleading.”
The original report had suggested Jonathan opted not to run to preserve southern unity ahead of the polls.
“Former President Jonathan never said he would not contest in 2027,” Mr Robert stated on his verified Facebook page. He also dismissed the credibility of the source, adding, “The so-called aide quoted in the publication does not exist.”
Crucially, while shutting down the report, the statement did not confirm an intention to run. Mr Robert emphasised that the former president “has equally not ruled himself out,” suggesting that all options remain open. He further claimed that Mr Jonathan would not yield to calls from those with “selfish motives” urging him not to run.
This ambiguity fuels the ongoing political discourse about Jonathan’s future. Although he has not formally declared his candidacy, there have been strong indications of nationwide consultations with political stakeholders, seen by many as groundwork for a potential comeback.
The prospect of a Jonathan bid is a significant development in Nigeria’s political landscape. His defeat in the 2015 election was a historic moment, marking the first time an incumbent president lost re-election in the country’s modern democratic era. He was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a campaign where Mr Jonathan’s administration faced intense criticism over its handling of national security, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency, and allegations of corruption.
In a move that was widely praised at home and abroad, Jonathan promptly conceded defeat and phoned Mr Buhari to congratulate him, a act that helped to ensure a peaceful transition of power.
Following his departure from office, he largely retreated from the domestic political scene, focusing instead on international diplomacy, often serving as an election observer and peace envoy for international bodies like the Commonwealth.
For years, he maintained a distance from active politics, a stance many interpreted as a quiet retirement. He repeatedly spoke about leaving the stage for a new generation of leaders, a promise that made his recent political manoeuvres and the ensuing speculation all the more striking.
The discussion around his potential return is unfolding against the backdrop of internal strategising within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has decided to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, has publicly stated that the party is considering Mr Jonathan and the former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as potential candidates. Mr Obi, who finished a strong third in the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party ticket, remains a powerful political figure.
“But certainly, President Jonathan is one of the candidates we are thinking of, if he joins us and opens his mind to run,” Governor Mohammed said during a national television interview. “And even other people like Governor Obi, because if he decides to come to a better platform where there are no encumbrances, he will be given the opportunity too.”
Governor Mohammed also suggested that the PDP had learned from its 2023 loss, arguing that the party needed to field a Christian candidate from the south with a Muslim running mate from the north to achieve a balanced ticket.
The convergence of the PDP’s southern zoning strategy, the courtship of high-profile figures like Jonathan and Obi, and the careful, non-committal statements from the former president’s associates have created a potent mix of uncertainty and anticipation. It ensures that the question of whether Goodluck Jonathan will attempt a political comeback will remain a central theme in the run-up to the 2027 election.
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