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.

A parliamentary survey index aimed at measuring the performance and contributions of Nigeria’s federal lawmakers over one year has revealed a steady decline in the quality of debates in both chambers of the National Assembly.

The report titled National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Report, by ERUDITE GROWTH & ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION, ERGAF-AFRICA, was unveiled today in Abuja.

The report discloses that four senators and 48 members of the House of Representatives did not make any contributions to debates, sponsor any bills, petitions or even raise a single Point of Order.

It said that Lagos lawmaker, Senator Idiat Oluranti tops the list of female productivity index with 22 legislative actions, followed by FCT senator, Ireti Kingibe and then Senator Ipalibo Banigo.

The report emphasised however that the issues of economy and Nigeria’s security challenges dominated discussions at plenary in both chambers in the period under review.ERGAF -Africa has spent the last two years compiling the report.

It calls it “The National Assembly Deliberative Barometer and Policy Focus Productivity Report”

It’s the first attempt to put in digital data form and infographic format the contributions of lawmakers in Africa.

The maiden edition covers the first session of the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria between June 14 2013, a day after it was inaugurated and 13th June 2024, revealing what the promoters describe as “a steady decline in legislative debates.

The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.

Out of these the report by ERGAF-AFRICA shows that 4 senators recorded zero contributions, during the period they served before some of them were sacked by the courts.

In the House of Representatives, 48 members did not make any contributions.

The report also highlights the top 10 performers in the Senate and 20 in the House of Representatives except for both presiding officers.

Issues of national interest dominated deliberations in both chambers especially, Nigeria’s wobbling economy and protracted security challenges.

The National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies welcomes the survey but not without a few reservations that it must be situated within the context of plenary sessions.

The report also reveals that while a total of 2275 legislative actions were carried out at plenary in the Senate; 4174 were conducted in the House of Representatives.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hart Cyril who represented the Speaker identifies similar limitations in the report even when he agrees it offers a potent platform to track legislative performances.

“Bring Back Our Goodluck” North-East group planned to stage a one-million-man march to the former president Goodluck Jonathan’s country home in Bayelsa to prevail on him to contest the 2027 presidential election after their tour of the whole regions in Nigeria.

The National Chairman of the group, Grema Kyari stated this in Maiduguri when hundreds of youths gathered to strategise on the return of Goodluck Jonathan to presidential villa in 2027.

The group tendered an unreserved apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan over what they described as a damaging narrative of sponsoring Boko Haram terrorists used in removing him from office in 2015.

They said that they now believed that the former President was removed from office in 2015 as a result of “regime change” orchestrated by foreign powers, especially the Democrats-Obama/Biden US administration of 2014 in connivance with some desperate politicians in Nigeria.

“We are gathered here today at a time when our beloved country stands at a decisive crossroads.

The Nigeria of today is struggling under the weight of economic hardship, rising insecurity, and deepening divisions.

Citizens are losing trust in the very institutions meant to protect and serve them.

“I come before you not only as the National Chairman of ‘Bring Back Our Goodluck’ but as a witness to history and as a Nigerian who, like millions of others, was once misled. I am from Borno State, one of the epicenters of the Boko Haram insurgency.

“During the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a damaging narrative was widely spread in our communities that he sponsored Boko Haram and used the military to suppress us.

These lies thrived in an environment of limited restricted access to truth. But today, with broader exposure and clear understanding, I know those accusations were false.”