2027: Buhari Supporter Urges Jonathan to Contest

A former supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, Jibril Mustapha, has called on ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election. Mustapha, who is president of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and a former leader of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), made the appeal on Sunday in a statement issued in Lagos.

“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians,” Mustapha said. He urged Jonathan to step forward as a candidate capable of uniting the country and leading it towards a brighter future.

Highlighting the current challenges facing the nation—including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry—Mustapha stressed the urgent need for a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity. “Nigeria is at a crossroads,” he said. “We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.”

Mustapha praised Jonathan’s past leadership, citing his commitment to democratic values and governance that prioritised the welfare of citizens. He noted that the group believes Jonathan possesses the vision and experience necessary to navigate Nigeria through its present difficulties. “His leadership style fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture. Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our own borders,” he added.

The Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), which Mustapha formerly headed, is known for its support of former President Buhari. Jonathan, who lost his re-election bid to Buhari in 2015, has remained a significant figure in Nigerian politics.

Debates about Jonathan’s eligibility to run again had surfaced after his 2015 defeat, but in 2022, a Federal High Court in Bayelsa ruled that he could still contest. Justice Isa Hamma Dashen, delivering the judgment, stated that Jonathan’s rights could not be curtailed by any retroactive law. The court noted that the 2007 election produced Umaru Yar’Adua as president, and that Jonathan’s assumption of the presidency in 2010 did not amount to an election into that office.