Only Jonathan’s enemies pushing him to run in 2027, says Oshiomhole

Adams Oshiomhole, former governor of Edo state, has advised ex-president Goodluck Jonathan against returning to the presidential race in 2027, saying such a move could damage his legacy.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’, Oshiomhole said only those who do not mean well for Jonathan would urge him to re-enter the political arena.

The senator representing Edo north said the All Progressives Congress (APC) will easily defeat Jonathan if he decided to contest.

“How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when PDP was truly PDP,” Oshiomhole said.

“If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election.”

The former APC national chairman advised Jonathan to preserve his image as a respected statesman, noting that his decision to concede defeat in 2015 earned him global admiration.

“If I were able to advise him, I will say, sir, maintain this status. You governed for eight years, you don’t have to govern for nine,” he said.

Oshiomhole added that Jonathan had “managed to demonstrate that out of power, you can be relevant and at peace”.

He also praised Jonathan’s famous concession speech, describing it as one of the most honourable acts by a Nigerian leader.

“Looking at how he ascended to that office. If I were him, I will spend the end of my life trying to find relevance, which he has already found, and speaking because that conceding defeat — that memorable quote about the blood of a Nigerian not being worth my ambition — he should just allow those legacies to be,” Oshiomhole said.

The former labour leader also said Jonathan’s political base in the south-south region has weakened since his exit from power.

“We will defeat him if he comes out very flatly because now the south-south is no longer PDP. So where is he going to start from?” he asked.

Jonathan, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in 2015, lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

CALLS FOR JONATHAN’S RETURN

There have been speculations that Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 2010 to 2015, intends to contest the 2027 election. The former president has been mum on his next political move.

The main opposition party has also been looking Jonathan’s way ahead of the next general election.

Some chieftains of the PDP, including Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi; and Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south; had disclosed that the opposition party has been wooing Jonathan to vie for its presidential ticket.

Jonathan is entitled to another term in office, having served a single term of four years, after completing the tenure of Umaru Yar’Adua, who died in office on May 5, 2010.

Recently, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on information and strategy, said while Jonathan is welcome to the race, Nigerians will not forget his “dismal record in office”.

The presidential spokesperson added that while Jonathan has the right to contest, the former president may have to face questions about his eligibility since he has been sworn in twice.