The Average Northerner Won’t Back Him” – Ojo Questions Jonathan’s Alleged 2027 Ambition

Political analyst Kabiru Ojo has cast doubt on the chances of former President Goodluck Jonathan emerging as a preferred candidate for the northern political bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing regional interests, zoning concerns, and distrust among political elites as major obstacles.

According to reports monitored by Ireporter Online, Ojo made the remarks during an interview on Wednesday while reacting to recent developments within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where the Tanimu Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee reportedly announced Jonathan as the party’s sole presidential candidate for the 2027 election following an internal screening exercise.

The committee, through former Niger State governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, explained that Jonathan was granted a waiver because of his status as a former president.

Speaking on the growing conversations surrounding Jonathan’s possible return to power, Ojo stated that reactions in the North would vary depending on social class and political interests. He noted that while many ordinary citizens in the region may look back fondly on Jonathan’s administration due to the economic situation at the time, political elites are unlikely to support his comeback.

He argued that many Nigerians currently battling economic hardship and insecurity often compare the present situation with Jonathan’s tenure, which they believe was relatively less difficult economically. However, he questioned whether the former president possesses the capacity to effectively tackle the worsening insecurity confronting the country if given another opportunity to lead.

Ojo further maintained that Jonathan’s chances would diminish significantly if a strong northern presidential candidate enters the race, insisting that the average northerner would naturally align with a candidate from the region rather than support Jonathan’s return.

The analyst also claimed that many northern political elites may oppose Jonathan due to lingering resentment from the events surrounding the 2015 election, when a coalition of political forces successfully removed him from office. According to him, some influential figures fear that a Jonathan comeback could trigger political retaliation.

He added that despite such reservations, some northern stakeholders may still encourage Jonathan’s ambition for strategic political reasons, especially within the PDP, as his entry into the race could complicate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election calculations and weaken the possibility of a dominant one-party structure.

Ojo further observed that the emergence of multiple strong candidates, including Peter Obi and Jonathan, could split votes across regions and reshape political alignments ahead of the election.

On the issue of power rotation, the political analyst described zoning as a political understanding designed to promote national unity rather than a constitutional requirement. He pointed out that since 1999, the southern region has produced presidents for a longer period compared to the North, a situation he said continues to fuel debates around fairness and political balance ahead of 2027.

He referenced former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, and incumbent President Bola Tinubu as leaders from the South, while Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Muhammadu Buhari represented the North.

While acknowledging that Jonathan’s public image has improved over the years, Ojo insisted that he does not see the former president as a strong political option for the northern establishment heading into the next election cycle. He also personally expressed the opinion that Jonathan should not return to contest for the presidency again, although he noted that the final decision ultimately rests with the law.

Meanwhile, a case currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja is seeking clarification on Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election. The suit argues that his succession to office in 2010 and subsequent election victory in 2011 may constitutionally amount to two terms in office. The court is expected to deliver judgment on May 26.