A political commentator and analyst, Comrade Preye Bagou, has alleged that former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is personally funding his presidential campaigns in the Northern region of Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections. Bagou made these claims during a press briefing in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, asserting that endorsements, posters, and billboards calling for Jonathan's return are part of a calculated strategy involving his Northern allies.
This development follows speculation over Jonathan's rumored 2027 presidential bid. Over the past few months, political materials bearing his image have surfaced in various Northern states, reviving memories of his 2022 political maneuverings when he briefly flirted with the idea of running under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In 2022, a coalition of Fulani herdsmen and Almajiri groups controversially purchased the APC presidential nomination forms for Jonathan, despite his membership in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Though he publicly disavowed knowledge of the purchase through a statement by his media aide, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, Bagou insists the move was a strategic test of public sentiment orchestrated by Jonathan’s Northern allies.
Jonathan’s rejection of the APC forms came amidst legal debates about his eligibility to contest again. Legal luminary Femi Falana (SAN) argued that Section 137 (3) of the 1999 Constitution disqualifies him from running, having completed the term of his predecessor, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and subsequently winning a term in 2011.
Comrade Bagou further accused Jonathan of using covert tactics to gauge public opinion, alleging that the former president’s current Northern endorsements mirror his 2022 strategy. He claimed Jonathan has resumed building alliances within the APC while simultaneously retaining ties with the PDP, positioning himself for political relevance regardless of party lines.
Bagou also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remain vigilant, warning that Jonathan’s actions might indicate plans to challenge his administration in 2027. He called on Nigerians to critically assess the motivations behind these endorsements and to recognize them as part of a broader political scheme.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, the unfolding dynamics underscore the complex interplay of alliances and ambitions in Nigeria’s political landscape, where even past leaders like Jonathan appear determined to remain influential.
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