Oshiomhole Warns Jonathan Against 2027, Says “Only His Enemies Will Push Him to Run Again”

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By Folarin Johnson

The senator representing Edo North and former governor of Edo State Adams Oshiomhole, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against yielding to pressure to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move could damage his political legacy.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole said Jonathan had already earned national respect by remaining relevant and dignified after leaving office, adding that only those who do not wish him well would encourage a comeback.

“I have a lot of respect for him. Now, how can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when the PDP was truly PDP. If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemies will push him to go into the race,” Oshiomhole said.

The lawmaker, who currently serves under the All Progressives Congress (APC), maintained that Jonathan’s post-presidency stature as a statesman and peace advocate should not be jeopardised by partisan politics.

“If I were to advise him, I would say, sir, maintain this status. He has managed to demonstrate that out of power, one can still be relevant and be at peace. If I were him, I would spend the rest of my life nurturing that relevance, which he already has,” he added.

Oshiomhole further claimed that Jonathan would face an uphill task should he decide to run again, noting that the political landscape in the South has shifted since 2015.

“We will defeat him if he comes out very flatly, because now the South is no longer PDP. So, where is he going to start from?” he asked.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015, lost his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

In recent months, speculation has grown over a possible 2027 comeback by the former president following comments by some of his allies suggesting he was under pressure to return to the race. However, Jonathan himself has not made any public declaration regarding such ambition.