Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has issued a strong warning to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to preserve his hard-earned political reputation and not succumb to pressure from individuals pushing him to contest in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the former All Progressive Congress (APC) national chairman made it clear that Jonathan’s possible return to the political scene would only serve the interests of those who wish to see him fail. Oshiomhole implied that any attempt by Jonathan to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the APC in 2027 would end in a resounding defeat, given the current political realities in Nigeria.
The former labour leader emphasized that Jonathan’s influence in his home region, the South-South, had diminished significantly since leaving office in 2015. According to him, the once-dominant PDP stronghold in the region has lost its cohesion, and any comeback bid would lack the necessary support base to make a meaningful impact.
In his words, Oshiomhole stated: “How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when PDP was truly PDP. If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election.”
“If I were able to advise him, I would say, Sir, please maintain this honorable position. You governed Nigeria for eight years; you don’t have to come back for a ninth. Jonathan has successfully shown that one can remain relevant, respected, and at peace even outside of political office.”
“We will defeat him easily if he decides to contest again because the South-South region is no longer PDP-dominated. So where exactly would his support come from?”
“Considering how he rose to power and how he exited, if I were him, I would focus on using my experience to promote peace, democracy, and unity in Africa. His concession speech in 2015, where he said, ‘My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian,’ remains one of the most powerful and memorable quotes in Nigeria’s democratic history. He should protect those legacies and avoid being dragged into another political battle.”
Heavy defeat in 2015 against [b]Muhammadu Buhari
Goodluck Jonathan, who served as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the 2015 presidential election to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC. Despite being the incumbent and having the full resources of the state behind him, Jonathan was overwhelmingly defeated by millions of Nigerian voters who desired change at the time.
His defeat marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s political history as it was the first time an incumbent president lost an election and peacefully handed over power to an opposition candidate. This act of humility and statesmanship earned Jonathan both national and international respect.
Plots that led to Jonathan’s exit from office
Before his defeat, Jonathan’s government had come under intense criticism for various reasons. One of the most controversial policies of his administration was the proposed removal of fuel subsidy, which sparked nationwide protests and backlash from opposition parties, including then-Lagos governor and current president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Additionally, his administration struggled with rising insecurity across the country, especially in the North-East, where the Boko Haram insurgency escalated rapidly. The abduction of over 200 Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 further deepened public anger and international outrage against his government’s handling of security matters.
Despite these challenges, Jonathan’s legacy remains significant for his peaceful concession, which strengthened Nigeria’s democracy. However, Oshiomhole’s latest warning underscores a growing sentiment that Jonathan should resist calls for a comeback and continue to play a respected, advisory role in Nigeria’s political landscape rather than return to active politics.