2027: Jonathan Remains Silent as Northern Opposition Intensifies Calls

Pressure continues to mount on former President Goodluck Jonathan to throw his hat into the ring for the 2027 presidential election, particularly from Northern political factions urging him to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

Jonathan’s five-year tenure at the nation’s helm began unexpectedly in May 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who had served since his 2007 inauguration. Jonathan, then Vice President, was sworn in as president on May 6, 2010. He subsequently won the 2011 election but lost to the APC’s coalition in 2015.

During that campaign, some Northern youths, notably the Arewa Youths Forum, argued that Jonathan was ineligible for another term, citing constitutional limits on serving multiple terms—a debate revived in 2023. A Federal High Court in Yenagoa cleared Jonathan to run in 2023, ruling that retroactive application of constitutional amendments did not bar his candidacy. Despite this, he abstained from the race, even amidst claims that President Buhari sought to compensate him for stepping aside in 2015.

Now, as 2027 looms, strong appeals continue from Northern groups. In one such move, the “Bring Back Our Goodluck” campaign publicly apologised to Jonathan for past allegations linking him to Boko Haram, and proposed a one-million-man march to persuade him to run. Businessday NG

At the same time, political insiders report Jonathan has agreed to contest in 2027, pledging to serve only one term—seen as facilitating a smooth power shift back to the North in line with the informal rotation agreement. Reports indicate he’s already begun strategic consultations. Nigerian Tracker News

Diverging Perspectives and Risks

Not everyone sees Jonathan’s potential return as advantageous:

• Shehu Sani (former Kaduna Central senator) has cautioned that the PDP has weakened and that a fragmented opposition without clear ideological direction may not offer a viable alternative.
• The Eastern Union, representing the Old Eastern Region, argues that Jonathan’s candidacy could fracture opposition unity and inadvertently hand victory to Tinubu and the APC. They urge Jonathan to preserve his legacy by supporting a credible Southern candidate instead.

Meanwhile, the broader political landscape is shifting: key opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have formed the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, aiming to mount a united front against Tinubu’s re-election bid. Analysts stress that unity is essential to challenge the ruling party effectively.