Former Secretary-General and respected chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Elder Anthony Sani, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to resist mounting pressure to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a strongly worded statement posted on Facebook, Sani acknowledged Jonathan’s enduring popularity and the respect he commands both at home and abroad. However, he questioned whether a return to the presidential race would be in the best interest of the South or the nation as a whole.
Sani expressed concern over growing political whispers portraying Jonathan as a viable contender for the 2027 elections. He warned that pushing the former president back into the political arena could ignite “several political and strategic challenges,” particularly tho linked to zoning arrangements and the principle of equitable power rotation.
“The South already has a sitting president,” Sani observed. “Promoting another southern candidate in 2027 could heighten regional tensions and weaken the moral argument for fairness in leadership rotation.”
Beyond zoning concerns, Sani stressed the importance of legacy preservation. He recalled that Jonathan’s peaceful exit from office in 2015 earned him global acclaim for statesmanship, an achievement that could be tarnished if he re-entered a bitterly contested presidential race.
“Jonathan left office with dignity in 2015, earning international respect. Returning to a high-stakes and divisive contest could risk overshadowing that legacy,” Sani cautioned.
He further noted the need for a generational shift in Nigerian politics, pointing to the public’s desire for “fresh faces, youthful energy, and innovative leadership ideas.” Recycling past leaders, he argued, might undermine the momentum for generational renewal.
On the question of political strategy, the elder statesman urged southern leaders to adopt a long-term view, focusing on succession planning and coalition-building rather than emotionally charged campaigns that could fracture their political influence.
“President Jonathan’s place in history is already secure. The wisest move is for him to remain a respected elder statesman — guiding, advising, and mentoring — rather than stepping back into the political battlefield,” he concluded.
Sani’s warning comes amid reports that influential political figures are actively working to bring Jonathan back into the fray.
According to a Vanguard report, a close associate of the former president — also a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — revealed that plans to field Jonathan as the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2027 have advanced considerably.
The associate claimed that Jonathan has privately agreed to re-enter politics, motivated by a desire to tackle Nigeria’s worsening economic challenges, rising poverty levels, and deepening hardship among the masses.
Sources indicate that the push for Jonathan’s return is being championed by a coalition of powerful statesmen and political elders. They reportedly argue that his six-year tenure brought greater economic stability and national unity — qualities they believe are in short supply under the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
If successful, this movement could set the stage for a high-profile political showdown in 2027, pitting Jonathan — a figure remembered for his peaceful handover of power — against the incumbent president.