When Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, warned that anyone urging former President Goodluck Jonathan to run in the 2027 presidential election was "looking for crisis," he set off a firestorm across Nigeria’s political arena.
The warning came live on Thursday night during Channels Television’s programme Politics Today. Wike’s blunt assessment was that the push for Jonathan’s comeback is hypocritical, noting that many of the same voices abandoned him after his 2015 loss to current President Bola Tinubu, then the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate.
In 2015, Jonathan, who had ascended to the presidency after Umar Muhammad Yunusa’s death in 2010, fell to Tinubu in a historic power shift that ended the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 16‑year rule. Since then, Jonathan has kept a low profile, focusing on diplomacy and his role as a senior statesman on the global stage.
Yet recent weeks have seen a surge of rumors that both Jonathan and former Labour Party presidential nominee Peter Obi are in talks with PDP heavy‑weights about a joint return to contest Tinubu in 2027. The chatter was amplified by former minister Jerry Gana, who allegedly drafted a blueprint to slot Jonathan onto the PDP ticket.
These speculations have struck a chord because the PDP, after a dismal performance in the 2023 elections, has been desperate to reclaim the presidency. The party even announced a “Southern zone” ticket for 2027 while retaining the national chairmanship in the North – a move Wike previously warned could destabilise the party’s internal balance.
"Anybody saying Jonathan should return because he will only do one term is only looking for a crisis," Wike said, his tone razor‑sharp. "These are the same people who frustrated him in 2015. Why now? Jonathan has made a name for himself globally, and they just want to drag him into unnecessary conflict."
He went on to argue that using Jonathan—or any other southern candidate—as a "one‑term" bargaining chip is a shallow ploy that threatens the fragile north‑south equilibrium that underpins Nigerian politics. "Presenting either Jonathan or Obi as the PDP’s candidate could create problems for the party," he added, recalling his earlier media parley in Abuja where he warned that the party could not simultaneously hold the presidential ticket and the national chairmanship.
Wike also mocked the PDP’s zoning strategy, noting: "Right from day one, I said you are shooting yourselves. If you allow what is happening to continue, you will pay. You cannot have the presidential candidate and, at the same time, the national chairman of the party. Now you have stolen the presidential ticket; they stole it. And again, stole the National Chairman. I said it would purge you. And it really purged them."
The PDP’s national secretariat brushed off Wike’s remarks, insisting that the party remains open to all qualified aspirants. A senior PDP official told reporters, "The party is a big tent; we welcome anyone who can deliver for Nigerians, regardless of past affiliations."
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement – supporters of Peter Obi – slammed Wike for “trying to keep Obi out of the race.” One movement spokesperson said, "Wike’s comments reveal a fear that Obi might actually change the status quo, not a genuine concern for national stability."
On the other side of the aisle, President Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, seized the moment to launch a direct attack on Jonathan’s legacy. "Let us remind ourselves about Jonathan's record," Onanuga wrote on the administration’s official Twitter feed. "His regime, devoid of any clear economic agenda, engaged in frivolous spending, ran the economy aground and put the country in dire straits. He will have his date in the court of the land," he added, raising constitutional questions about Jonathan’s eligibility for a third term.
The spokesperson’s tweet also cited figures from Jonathan’s tenure: a rise in inflation to 18 % in 2014, a budget deficit that peaked at ₦6.5 billion, and an unemployment rate that hovered around 12 % by 2015. These numbers were meant to frame the former president’s record as a cautionary tale for voters.
If Jonathan were to re‑enter the race, the legal hurdle would be significant. The 1999 Constitution limits a person to two terms, but Jonathan assumed office after the death of his predecessor and later won a full term in 2011. Legal scholars are split: some argue his two‑term ceiling is already met; others contend the partial term does not count, opening a pathway for a 2027 bid.
Beyond the courtroom, a Jonathan or Obi candidacy could reshuffle the opposition’s strategy. The APC, still riding on Tinubu’s incumbency, would likely lean on its control of the National Assembly and the federal treasury to consolidate power. Conversely, a united PDP front with a high‑profile figure could attract disillusioned voters, especially in the southeast where Obi’s 2023 performance was strong (he captured 17 % of the national vote).
Political analysts note that the north‑south zoning debate could become a decisive factor. "If the PDP insists on a southern ticket while the chairmanship stays north, they risk alienating their northern base," said Dr. Aisha Umar, a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Lagos. "That could split the opposition vote and hand Tinubu a comfortable win, unless the APC faces its own internal fractures."
In the coming weeks, both the APC and PDP are expected to hold internal conferences to formalise their 2027 strategies. Watch for:
Whatever the outcome, Wike’s warning has put a spotlight on the fragility of Nigeria’s political equilibrium. As the 2027 election draws nearer, the tug‑of‑war between continuity and change will likely dominate headlines, and the courtrooms may become as pivotal as the campaign rallies.
Constitutional scholars are divided. Jonathan took office in 2010 after a predecessor’s death, then won a full term in 2011. Some argue the partial term doesn’t count toward the two‑term limit, meaning he could run again. Others say any service as president—partial or full—fulfils the limit. A Supreme Court ruling will likely be required to settle the matter.
Both figures bring national name‑recognition that could rally disillusioned voters, especially in the southeast and south‑south. However, internal party disputes over zoning and the national chairmanship could split the PDP’s support base, potentially handing the election to the incumbent APC if the opposition remains fragmented.
Wike argues the same political actors who abandoned Jonathan in 2015 are now reviving his brand for convenience, risking a repeat of past electoral tensions. He fears the move could reignite regional rivalries and destabilise the delicate north‑south power-sharing arrangement that underpins Nigeria’s federal system.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, has seized the narrative, branding Jonathan’s record as "disastrous" and emphasizing the incumbent’s "tough but necessary" economic reforms. The administration has also hinted at legal challenges to any former president seeking a third term, positioning itself as the guardian of constitutional order.
Inflation remains above 18 %, unemployment hovers near 12 %, and foreign exchange shortages persist. While Tinubu’s government reports progress on infrastructure projects in Abuja, many citizens still feel the pinch of rising living costs. These economic pressures are likely to shape voter priorities in the upcoming election.
vikash kumar
One must consider the constitutional nuance that distinguishes a partial term from a full tenure; the jurisprudence on Goodluck Jonathan’s eligibility is far from settled. Moreover, the political calculus of resurrecting a former president risks destabilizing the delicate equilibrium that Wike so ardently defends. In any event, the discourse should prioritize institutional integrity over nostalgic expediency.
Sandhya Mohan
The resurgence of a former head of state can be seen as a philosophical echo of continuity, where experience serves as a lantern in the dark corridors of political uncertainty. Yet we must ask whether such illumination brightens the path for all citizens or merely casts shadows over emerging voices. In the spirit of inclusive dialogue, the nation ought to weigh legacy against renewal, allowing the electorate to decide without the weight of past grievances dragging us down. Ultimately, political vitality thrives when fresh ideas mingle with seasoned insight, forging a synthesis that respects both memory and progress.
Prakash Dwivedi
It is profoundly disheartening to witness the manipulation of public sentiment for mere power games. The anguish felt by countless Nigerians under economic strain cannot be brushed aside by nostalgic rhetoric. We must confront these realities with unflinching honesty, lest our collective hope be extinguished.