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2027: Jonathan Remains Silent as Northern Opposition Ramps Up Pressure

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As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 presidential election, former President Goodluck Jonathan is facing increasing pressure—especially from northern opposition groups—to throw his hat into the ring and challenge incumbent President Bola Tinubu.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, initially assumed office following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in May 2010. He later won the 2011 election but lost to Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition in 2015.

Despite the legal and political debates surrounding his eligibility—stemming from questions about whether he could serve more than one term after succeeding Yar’Adua—the Federal High Court in Yenagoa cleared Jonathan for the 2023 presidential race. However, he ultimately did not run, with speculation linking him to both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Now, as discussions intensify for 2027, Jonathan’s possible candidacy is again under the spotlight. Supporters suggest he might run on the PDP platform, given the party’s zoning of the presidency to the South and the constitutional provision limiting him to one term.

Yet, Jonathan has remained publicly silent on his intentions. Those close to him hint he could be a leading contender against President Tinubu, but no official confirmation has been made.

Political observers and figures have voiced divergent opinions on his potential return:

  • Shehu Sani, former Kaduna Central lawmaker, argues that Jonathan should not contest, citing that the PDP he once led has changed significantly.
  • Dele Farotimi, a prominent lawyer, warns that attempts to “rebrand” Jonathan overlook the reasons Nigerians voted him out in 2015, believing his tenure failed to resolve national issues.
  • Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer, claims Jonathan is not interested in running.

Within the PDP, opinions are also mixed. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the matter as speculative. However, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, a Lagos PDP chieftain and former Atiku 2023 campaign council member, expressed skepticism about Jonathan securing the party’s nomination.

Pearse noted that Jonathan’s long absence from active party politics, lack of financial support, and questionable eligibility could hinder his bid. He suggested Jonathan would struggle to gather enough delegate support and warned of potential legal challenges if he pursued the presidency again.

Pearse added, “We have viable candidates like the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who has demonstrated effective leadership and stands a strong chance to defeat Tinubu in 2027.”

As the debate continues, Jonathan’s next move remains uncertain, leaving Nigerians and political analysts closely watching whether he will step forward to contest or remain on the sidelines in the forthcoming presidential race.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC membership

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”

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Former governor of Bayelsa State Timipre Sylva on Monday resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.

Sylva announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the APC chairman in Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Sylva, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was saddened by the direction the party had taken.

“As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted,” he said.

His resignation comes amid legal and political controversies surrounding him.

In November 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared Sylva wanted over an alleged case involving conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

He was also named among suspects in an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is listed as one of the defendants in a 13-count charge filed by the federal government over the alleged coup plot.

Sylva, however, said his decision to leave the APC was driven by his opposition to what he described as a political mentality that considers “all is fair in politics”.

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Politics

G100 Opposition Summit Proposes Single 4-year Term

The summit was attended by representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

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• AI generated: President Bola Tinubu and opposition candidates

The G100 has proposed a Government of National Competence anchored on a single four-year transition term.

The call was made today during the Summit of Nigeria’s Opposition Political Parties held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

In an opening address delivered on behalf of the G100 by Mallam Salihu Moh. Lukman , he said that the proposed government would be built on competence, integrity, national inclusion and fair representation of every party contributing to the effort, and would be bound to a disciplined, time-bound Four-Year National Reset Programme.

” The Framework before you propose something more demanding than a merger of ambitions: a Government of National Competence, built on competence, integrity, national inclusion, and fair representation of every party that contributes to the effort,” he said.

Lukman emphasised that such a government should be “secured by a political commitment to a single four-year term, written into an enforceable Transition Charter.”

The summit was attended by representatives of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside their presidential and vice-presidential candidates, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

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Politics

Atiku’s campaign promises (2): ” I’ll reopen borders if elected president 2027

Atiku made the pledge while addressing supporters in a video circulating online and shared by ADC chieftain, Dele Momodu, on Friday.

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The African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has said he will reopen Nigeria’s land borders if elected president in the next year general election.

Atiku made the pledge while addressing supporters in a video circulating online and shared by ADC chieftain, Dele Momodu, on Friday.

Atiku said that the closure of Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries had negatively affected transborder trade and contributed to unemployment among young people.

“The Northern states is bordering Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin Republic. And you close all those borders. All our young men who are doing trading between these countries, they carry goods across, they do this and that, all what we call transborder trade is a legitimate business,” Atiku said.

He said many young people who previously operated businesses with capital running into millions of naira had been forced out of business following the border closures.“All the upcoming young men and women who used to have a capital of 10 million, 20 million, and they were employing two, three other people, and then all of them went bankrupt and unemployed. How can there be security?” he asked.

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