The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has observed with keen interest the growing speculations about the possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race.
Jonathan, who lost his reelection bid in 2015 to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is reportedly being persuaded by supporters to contest again in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Friday, the party’s spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, noted that the former president’s political weight was not strong enough to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
*“While we acknowledge the former president’s role in the peaceful democratic transition of 2015 , an act that rightly earned him praise at home and abroad , we must state, in clear terms, that Nigeria has since moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism.
“The challenges of today and the future require bold, capable, and forward-thinking leadership, not a return to the comfort of a past that was far from perfect.
“Let it be clear: good luck alone is not a governance strategy,”* he said.
Oladejo alleged that Jonathan’s administration, from 2010 to 2015, left behind a country grappling with unchecked corruption, insecurity, and economic inertia.
*“While some may look back on those years with rose-tinted glasses, 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.
He further argued that a potential Jonathan candidacy would trigger constitutional and political complications, since having completed more than one term in office, any return bid would spark legal battles and instability.
Oladejo also criticised Jonathan’s perceived inconsistency, citing his political engagements across party lines.
“His flirtation with the APC and absence from PDP’s strategic rebuilding efforts raise questions about his loyalty, clarity of vision, and political intentions,” he said.
According to him, the APC remains focused on consolidating progress, implementing reforms, and presenting credible candidates who reflect the aspirations of a youthful population.
*“We believe the future of Nigeria does not lie in recycled leadership but in visionary governance rooted in integrity, innovation, and resilience.
“Former President Jonathan remains a respected elder statesman. His legacy as a peaceful democrat is assured. But legacies are not manifestoes, and nostalgia is not governance.
“We urge Nigerians to reject emotional shortcuts and stay focused on the need for capable, accountable, and transformative leadership.
“As 2027 approaches, let us not reach backwards in desperation, but move forward with courage and clarity,”* Oladejo said.
(NAN)