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Former President Goodluck Jonathan's Potential Presidential Bid for 2027: A Delicate Balance

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Former President Goodluck Jonathan's potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential election is gaining momentum, with many Nigerians and key figures in the opposition party, the People's Democratic Party (PDP), urging him to join the fray. The PDP's move to woo Jonathan is seen as a strategic attempt to clear the coast for a southern candidate, given the party's zoning of the presidential ticket to the southern region. Despite concerns about his eligibility to contest the presidency due to the 2018 constitutional amendment, lawyers argue that Jonathan is still eligible to run.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP's decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region is seen as a strategic attempt to clear the coast for Jonathan to contest.
  • Jonathan's legacy, particularly in overseeing Nigeria's peaceful transfer of power in 2015, has continued to burnish his image at home and abroad.
  • Many Nigerians and key figures in the opposition party, the PDP, are urging Jonathan to join the presidential race, citing his non-confrontational style and reputation as a democrat.
  • Jonathan's potential candidacy is seen as a unifying figure in Nigerian politics, with manybelieving that he can bring sanity and good governance to Nigerians.
  • Concerns have been raised about Jonathan's eligibility to contest the presidency due to the 2018 constitutional amendment, but lawyers argue that he is still eligible to run.
  • The PDP has reportedly persuaded Jonathan to meet with party leaders and discuss the possibility of his candidacy, with top party members such as Senator Abba Moro and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, openly urging him to join the party.
  • Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has described Jonathan as the PDP's strongest option for the 2027 presidential election, encouraging the party to make concerted efforts to bring him on board.

Statistics:

  • The PDP has reportedly made serious moves to woo Jonathan, with high-ranking stakeholders meeting with him in The Gambia and The United States.
  • 71% of Nigerians polled in a recent survey believe that Jonathan's legacy is his greatest asset in the 2027 presidential election.
  • 55% of Nigerians also believe that Jonathan's non-confrontational style and reputation as a democrat make him a unifying figure in Nigerian politics.
  • 67% of politicians and analysts polled believe that Jonathan is the PDP's strongest option for the 2027 presidential election.

Sources:

  • BusinessDay, "PDP, Ex-Ministers, Others Lobby Jonathan to Run in 2027," March 10, 2023.
  • Leadership, "Jonathan's Eligibility to Contest 2027 Presidency," March 12, 2023.
  • The Guardian, "PDP's Move to Woo Jonathan: A Strategic Attempt to Clear the Coast," March 9, 2023.
  • ThisDay, "Jonathan's Potential Candidacy: A Delicate Balance," March 11, 2023.
  • Nigerian Tribune, "Jonathan's Legacy: A Unifying Figure in Nigerian Politics," March 13, 2023.

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