By Joe Udo
LAGOS (CONVERSEER) – The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned against the potential candidacy of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2027 presidential election, describing it as a move that could plunge Nigeria into constitutional crisis and political instability.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesperson, Seye Oladejo, said while Jonathan deserves recognition for facilitating a peaceful transition of power in 2015, Nigerians must not allow nostalgia or sentimental politics to dictate the nation’s future.
“Let it be clear: good luck alone is not a governance strategy,” Oladejo stated.
He accused Jonathan’s administration between 2010 and 2015 of presiding over economic stagnation, unchecked corruption, and worsening insecurity, citing the fuel subsidy scandal and the Chibok girls’ abduction as defining failures. However, no evidence was provided to substantiate the corruption allegations.
Legal Questions Over Eligibility
Oladejo also raised constitutional questions over Jonathan’s eligibility, warning that any return bid could provoke divisive legal battles and instability. He argued that having served more than one term, the former president’s candidacy would face serious contention.
“We must remind ourselves that nostalgia is not a policy platform. Emotion cannot drive economic reform, and sentimentality will not fix power generation, insecurity, youth unemployment, or education sector decay,” he said.
The APC spokesperson further criticised Jonathan’s recent political manoeuvring, citing his perceived “flirtation” with the APC and limited involvement in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s rebuilding efforts, which he said cast doubts on the former president’s loyalty and political clarity.
APC’s Call for Fresh Leadership
Reaffirming the APC’s position, Oladejo stressed that Nigeria needs fresh leadership reflective of the country’s youthful population. He acknowledged Jonathan as a respected elder statesman but insisted that “legacies are not manifestoes, and nostalgia is not governance.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the APC remains focused on consolidating progress, implementing reforms, and presenting credible candidates who embody the aspirations of Nigerians,” he added.
Growing Calls for Jonathan’s Return
Despite the APC’s position, calls for Jonathan to contest the 2027 election have gained momentum in recent months, particularly from northern groups.
In April, Dr Jibril Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former head of the Buhari Youth Organisation, urged Jonathan to run, describing him as a unifying figure. More recently, an advocacy group, Bring Back Our Goodluck, renewed the appeal during an event in Kano, arguing that Nigerians were “misled in 2015” and that Jonathan should return to leadership.
