2027 Election: "Formidable Player," Sani Speaks on Possibility of Jonathan Vying for Presidency
- Umar Sani, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said for those in the North clamouring for the presidency in 2031, a Goodluck Jonathan presidency offers a strategic middle ground
- Sani, who served as senior special assistant on media and publicity to former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, alleged that some individuals in Jonathan's inner circle undermined the former president's campaign in 2015
- In what he described as "a twist of fate", Sani stated that ahead of the 2027 election, Jonathan, once strongly criticised by northerners, "has become a symbol of hope for many disenchanted citizens"
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - As Nigeria inches toward the 2027 election, Umar Sani, a spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council 2019, has said the possibility of a Goodluck Jonathan comeback cannot be dismissed.
Legit.ng reports that Jonathan served as the president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015. He lost the 2015 presidential election to former military head of state, now-late Muhammadu Buhari, and was said to be the first incumbent president in Nigerian history to concede defeat in an election, thus allowing for a peaceful transition of power.
Source: Twitter
Jonathan poised to become "transitional figure"
In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday night, July 30, Sani said Jonathan is no longer the underdog, but "a formidable player with renewed political currency".
Sani wrote:
"Importantly, if Jonathan were to return, the law only permits him to serve one more term. This makes him a transitional figure, offering the country a period of political cooling and stability while paving the way for the next generation.
"For those in the North clamouring for the presidency in 2031, a Jonathan presidency offers a strategic middle ground.
"Yet, questions remain. Would his return be about national service or a personal reckoning? Would he seek to avenge those who wronged him or rise above the past? These are questions political pundits continue to debate. What is clear, however, is that Jonathan is no longer the underdog. He is a formidable player with renewed political currency."
Source: Twitter
He added:
"As Nigeria inches toward another election cycle, the possibility of a Jonathan comeback cannot be dismissed. The man once changed by a game changer may now return to change the game himself. Whether this is the twist Nigeria needs or a return to a familiar script remains to be seen. One thing is certain, Jonathan is back in the conversation, and this time, he holds more aces than ever before."
Jonathan distances self from Instagram post
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Jonathan distanced himself from an Instagram post suggesting he is planning a comeback in the 2027 presidential election.
The post, shared by an account bearing Jonathan’s name, criticised Nigeria’s current leaders, claiming they are “pretending to sleep”, while urging citizens to choose better leadership in 2027.
However, when contacted by journalists, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s spokesperson, dismissed the post as fake and clarified that the former president does not operate an Instagram account.
Source: Legit.ng
