“Those Who Betrayed Him Are Now Pushing Him” — ZLP Chair Warns Jonathan Against 2027 Run

The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party, Dan Nwanyanwu, has urged Goodluck Jonathan to resist growing pressure to join the 2027 presidential race, warning that many of those encouraging him are the same figures who undermined him while he was in office.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Nwanyanwu said Jonathan should be cautious about returning to the field, stressing that the motives of those pushing him forward are questionable. He aligned himself with Patience Jonathan’s reported opposition to her husband’s potential bid, arguing that the former leader is being courted by people seeking to “clean their mess.”

Jonathan had been in the country as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission during last Sunday’s elections, which were followed by a military takeover. Calls for him to contest in 2027 have intensified in recent months, especially among some members of the Peoples Democratic Party who believe his experience and reputation make him a viable contender.

Jonathan, who governed Nigeria from 2011 to 2015 after rising from the vice presidency following the death of Musa Yar’Adua, has repeatedly said he has no immediate plans to run. Since leaving office, he has devoted his time to diplomatic roles, election observation, and peace-building efforts across Africa.