Ex-president pushes back against reports of withdrawal
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed claims that he has decided not to contest the 2027 presidential election, calling the reports false and misleading.
The denial comes in response to a Newsweek Nigeria article titled “Jonathan Rejects Pressure to Contest in 2027, Says He Won’t Be Used Against Southern Unity,” which claimed Jonathan had stepped aside to preserve political unity in the South.
“Fake story,” says Jonathan’s cousin
On Friday, Azibaola Robert, Jonathan’s cousin, took to his verified Facebook page to debunk the report. He described it as a fabrication, stating:
“The story is fake. Nigerians should disregard it.”
Azibaola also made it clear that the supposed “aide of Jonathan” quoted in the article doesn’t exist and was likely invented to give the false report credibility.
Consultations underway, no decision yet
While Jonathan has not officially declared his candidacy, sources close to him have hinted at ongoing nationwide consultations. The former president is reportedly weighing his options and has not ruled out a return bid in 2027.
According to Azibaola:
“The former president has made it clear that he would not yield to calls not to run, since those making such admonitions had selfish motives.”
However, no official announcement has been made regarding his political intentions or potential party platform.
Southern unity not the reason, camp says
The statement also pushed back against claims that Jonathan was avoiding the race in order to protect Southern political unity. His camp insists those narratives are being pushed by people who fear his return or want to influence the power balance in 2027.
