The All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Network has alleged that ongoing moves to drag former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race are deliberately designed to weaken the strong South-South support base of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and pave the way for a northern presidency.
The group made the allegation in a statement released to newsmen on Sunday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, by its Director-General, Iniobong John.
The statement comes amid reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has zoned the 2027 presidency to the South, is considering Jonathan among those who could be fielded as its flagbearer.
However, the APC Media Network urged Jonathan to resist such pressures, warning that his international reputation as a statesman could be damaged if he accepted the offer.
“The All Progressives Congress Media Network wishes to address recent rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be drafted into the 2027 presidential race to face President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We believe this would be a disastrous political decision for him. Not only would he likely be defeated by President Tinubu, but he would also risk losing his status as an international statesman and the honours and recognition he earned after conceding defeat and leaving office in 2015,” the statement read.
The group further argued that Jonathan’s past defeat as an incumbent president in 2015 showed he would find it even more difficult to unseat another sitting president.
“Given his defeat as incumbent president in 2015, it’s unlikely he could defeat another incumbent president, particularly one with President Tinubu’s strong grip on the game.
“We are confident that President Tinubu’s popularity and achievements will only continue to grow, making it an uphill task for any opponent,” John stated.
He added that Jonathan’s legacy of humility and patriotism, especially in 2015 when he conceded defeat, had earned him international recognition as a peacemaker, urging him not to jeopardise that image.
“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise caution and not fall prey to the machinations of those seeking to drag him into another electoral defeat,” the statement partly read.
The APC group insisted that those pushing Jonathan into the contest were aware that he could not defeat Tinubu but were only using him as a pawn in a political game.
“It’s worth noting that those who are scheming to drag former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential race are aware that he cannot defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To those who are scheming to stop the second-term ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we want to clearly state that they are fighting a lost battle,” John added.
The Director-General maintained that Tinubu would be “overwhelmingly re-elected” in 2027, crediting the president’s ongoing reforms and initiatives for winning the confidence of Nigerians.
“President Tinubu will be overwhelmingly re-elected by Nigerians who are appreciating the many reforms and initiatives undertaken by his administration to drive progress and development in the country,” the statement concluded.
