2027 Presidency: ACF Spokesman Hints at Possible Goodluck Jonathan Comeback Amid PDP Speculations

the Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Tukur Muhammad-Baba, suggesting that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 presidential election. The comments, made during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Thursday, have reignited conversations about Jonathan’s political relevance and his potential re-entry into the race for Nigeria’s highest office.

The speculation arises amid reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is actively courting the former president to consider making a comeback. While Jonathan himself has not publicly declared any political intention for 2027, Muhammad-Baba’s analysis has added fuel to the already simmering debate.

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Jonathan’s Post-2015 Image Now an Asset, Says ACF

Speaking on the programme, Muhammad-Baba acknowledged that Goodluck Jonathan’s political stock has quietly risen over the years since he left office in 2015. According to him, despite earlier criticisms of Jonathan’s administration—especially in the buildup to the 2015 election—his actions after leaving office have cast him in a more favorable light.

“Over time, and especially since 2015, he has accumulated a number of positives,” Muhammad-Baba said. “He left office quietly, without contesting the result, and has since been enjoying international recognition. He has been involved in global missions and diplomacy.”

He added that some of the baggage and criticisms previously associated with Jonathan’s tenure might now be seen in hindsight as politically motivated rather than objective assessments of his performance. “Circumstances have turned out that some of the criticisms against him were simply political,” he said.

PDP’s Calculations and Regional Strategy

Jonathan’s name resurfacing within PDP circles appears to be part of wider permutations regarding regional balance and voter appeal ahead of 2027. The PDP, which has struggled to reclaim national dominance since losing the presidency in 2015, may view the former president as a unifying figure with cross-regional appeal.

Muhammad-Baba acknowledged that the ongoing political discourse is being shaped by regional calculations, as parties and power blocs try to align interests ahead of the next general elections. “I think everybody, most people, are just speculating on which part of Nigeria will support which candidate or not,” he noted.

While he cautioned against seeing Jonathan as an automatic frontrunner, the ACF spokesman did concede that on the surface, the former president remains an “attractive” option to many. “Let’s not also forget that in the build-up to 2023, there were strong speculations that the APC was wooing Goodluck Jonathan to bring him into the fray,” he pointed out.

Challenges Ahead for Jonathan or Any Aspirant

Despite the possibility of a comeback, Muhammad-Baba was clear-eyed about the hurdles that await any presidential hopeful in 2027, including Jonathan. The ACF spokesman stressed that Nigerians today are more focused on practical solutions to the country’s growing problems than political nostalgia.

“Given the circumstances right now in the country—the economic hardship, insecurity, and other challenges—it will take a lot more than just a familiar name to convince the electorate,” he said. “Whether a politician is from the south, the north, or even from the moon, they must now prove they offer something truly different.”

He further emphasized that Jonathan, or any returning figure, would need to demonstrate clear evidence of evolution in leadership and policy approach. “He needs to do a lot more to sell himself… to show that he’s now different from the Goodluck Jonathan we knew,” Muhammad-Baba added.

Will Jonathan Declare? Silence Fuels Suspense

The former president has remained largely silent about the increasing speculation surrounding his possible 2027 bid. His past reluctance to explicitly rule out a return, particularly during similar rumors ahead of the 2023 elections, continues to keep political watchers on edge.

In the past, Jonathan has expressed contentment with his role as a statesman and global envoy, often stressing that his interest lies in peacebuilding and democracy promotion across Africa. Nonetheless, his perceived neutrality and the goodwill he has built abroad have now become key assets in the current political conversation.

For PDP strategists, the question is whether his return could revitalize the party’s chances or divide its base. For Nigerians at large, the broader issue remains whether any returning figure from the past can offer genuine solutions to the current wave of economic instability, insecurity, and social unrest.

Caution and Curiosity

As the political landscape for 2027 slowly begins to form, Jonathan’s name stands out not only due to his previous leadership but also because of the paradox he represents: a leader once criticized for alleged weaknesses, now potentially being viewed as a stabilizing force.

Still, as Muhammad-Baba rightly pointed out, goodwill alone is not enough. “It will take more than past glories or sympathy to convince the Nigerian electorate. Nigerians are hungry for leadership that delivers, not just familiar names.”

Until Jonathan breaks his silence, the speculations will persist, and the suspense will grow. For now, his candidacy remains a possibility—one that could reshape Nigeria’s political dynamics once again.