The All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Network has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against contesting the 2027 presidential election, warning that such a move would weaken the South-South and damage his global reputation.
The Director-General of the group, Iniobong John, issued the statement on Sunday, reacting to reports that Jonathan was being considered by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after it zoned its presidential ticket to the South.
“The All Progressives Congress Media Network wishes to address recent rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be drafted into the 2027 presidential race to face President Bola Tinubu. We believe this would be a disastrous political decision for him,” John said.
According to the group, Jonathan’s record showed he had little chance of defeating an incumbent president.
“Given his defeat as incumbent president in 2015, it’s unlikely he could defeat another incumbent president, particularly one with President Tinubu’s strong grip on the game. We are confident that President Tinubu’s popularity and achievements will only continue to grow, making it an uphill task for any opponent,” the statement added.
The APC Media Network urged Jonathan to protect his statesman image instead of returning to the ballot.
“His legacy as a statesman and peacemaker has earned him international recognition, and we wouldn’t want to see him risk losing that reputation. As someone who demonstrated wisdom and humility in 2015, we encourage him to continue prioritising national stability and progress,” John said.
The group also alleged that forces behind Jonathan’s possible candidacy were working to divide the South for political gain.
“It’s worth noting that those scheming to drag Jonathan into the race know he cannot defeat President Tinubu. Their true intention is to exploit the situation to break Southern solidarity, potentially enhancing the chances of a Northern presidential candidate. However, this plot is dead on arrival,” the group declared.
Concluding, the APC Media Network said Tinubu’s second-term ambition remained unshakable.
“To those scheming to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we want to clearly state that they are fighting a lost battle. President Tinubu will be overwhelmingly re-elected by Nigerians who appreciate the many reforms and initiatives undertaken by his administration to drive progress and development in the country,” the statement read.
