Behind Early Moves To Posture Goodluck Jonathan As Next President

As Nigeria battles the rising cost of living attributed to initiatives by President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a bid to steady the ship of the nation’s declining economy, the groundwork for an alternative “messiah” is being laid ahead of the 2027 election.

President Tinubu came into office on May 29, 2023, with great expectations to revamp the “economic nosedive” allegedly caused by the 8 years of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, which Tinubu played a frontline role in helping to power.

However, since taking office, despite initial optimism and securing foreign investments and international commitments, the cost of living has continued to soar.

The pivotal price of petrol has reached an all-time high, pushing the cost of living out of reach for the common man. Opposition party chieftains are finding it easier to recruit more people into their ranks.

Amidst this, a growing movement has turned to renewing public interest in the “good things” Goodluck Jonathan achieved when he was President (2010-2015) as part of efforts to project him as the next best leader for the country.

A major reference in the increasing posturing of Jonathan is the claim that all the initiatives he proposed, which were used to campaign against him—particularly the removal of fuel subsidies—have been adopted by those who stopped his re-election in 2015. This highlights the underhanded tactics employed to mislead the public.

Although Tinubu’s supporters validly insist that he was sidelined after Buhari—who was positioned as a better man than Jonathan—took office and that Tinubu can be excused from the 8 years of declining public goodwill that followed, others argue that the rising cost of living under his watch tells a different story.

Preparations for a possible change in leadership in 2027 have started, with Jonathan being seen as a potential candidate, despite the fact that Tinubu still has about three years to prove himself.

The adoption of Jonathan is believed to be a more encompassing tactic by those who don’t want to be boxed into the push behind Peter Obi or the unceasing efforts to make Atiku president.

Groundwork has reportedly begun early to position Jonathan in the minds of the public by 2027, given expectations that Tinubu would want to retain his position in line with the constitutionally allowed two-term, and Atiku and Obi, would also throw their hats into the ring.