Northern Groups Push to Draft Jonathan into 2027 Presidential Race

A coalition of influential power brokers from Northern Nigeria is reportedly making moves to draft former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race. The effort, led by a governor from the North East and a retired general from the North West, is gaining momentum as discussions intensify behind the scenes.

The strategy hinges on the constitutional allowance that Jonathan, having served from 2011 to 2015, would only be eligible for one more four-year term. This makes him an appealing candidate for Northern leaders who aim to balance regional interests and prevent President Bola Tinubu from securing a second term in office.

Sources within the Northern caucus claim that the leaders are focused on uniting against what they perceive as the Tinubu administration’s mismanagement. The Jonathan-for-2027 project has already begun reaching out to key stakeholders across Nigeria, including civil society groups and pro-democracy bodies, seeking to gather widespread support.

According to insiders, Jonathan’s broad-based appeal across Southern Nigeria’s three geopolitical zones, combined with his residual goodwill in the North, makes him a viable candidate. Supporters argue that his potential to win votes in both the North and South positions him as the ideal candidate to unite the country.

This initiative comes in the wake of earlier efforts to persuade Jonathan to re-enter the political scene. In August, reports emerged that Northern political leaders were considering pushing Jonathan to contest the 2027 election. Bala Mohammed, the current governor of Bauchi State and a former minister under Jonathan’s administration, has publicly stated that he would abandon his own presidential ambitions if Jonathan decides to run.

Mohammed praised Jonathan’s leadership experience and record, expressing confidence in his ability to steer Nigeria forward in challenging times. He emphasized that Jonathan’s past governance and diplomatic work make him a strong candidate to tackle the current economic and political crises.

Rumors of Jonathan’s return to politics are not new. Last year, there were speculations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would field him as their candidate in the 2023 elections. Despite widespread rumors and the purchase of nomination forms by a group of Northern supporters, Jonathan distanced himself from the effort, stating that he had not authorized the move.