The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed speculations about former President Goodluck Jonathan staging a comeback in the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he cannot unseat President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesman, Seye Oladejo, said while Jonathan remains a respected elder statesman, his political relevance in today’s Nigeria is doubtful.
“While we acknowledge the former president’s role in the peaceful democratic transition of 2015, which rightly earned him praise at home and abroad, Nigeria has since moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia and symbolism,” Oladejo stated.
He argued that the challenges facing the country require bold and forward-thinking leadership, not a return to what he described as an imperfect past.
Oladejo accused the Jonathan administration of leaving behind “severe structural weaknesses” between 2010 and 2015, ranging from unchecked corruption to insecurity and economic stagnation.
“Emotion cannot drive economic reform, and sentimentality will not fix power generation, insecurity, youth unemployment or education sector decay,” he added.
The APC spokesman also warned that any attempt by Jonathan to return would face constitutional and political hurdles, given that he had already completed more than one term in office.
He further questioned Jonathan’s political alignment, noting his occasional closeness to the APC and absence from the PDP’s rebuilding efforts.
According to him, the APC remains focused on consolidating Tinubu’s reforms, presenting fresh ideas, and projecting credible candidates who reflect the aspirations of Nigeria’s youthful population.
“Former President Jonathan’s legacy as a peaceful democrat is assured, but legacies are not manifestoes, and nostalgia is not governance. As 2027 approaches, Nigerians must reject emotional shortcuts and embrace transformative leadership,” Oladejo stressed.
