Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has broken his silence on swirling rumors that he has pulled out of the 2027 presidential race, declaring through his family and close associates that he remains very much in contention. The clarification, which came after Newsweek Nigeria published a sensational story claiming Jonathan had opted out “in the interest of southern unity,” has sent shockwaves across the political landscape.
Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, dismissed the report as “fake news manufactured by vested interests,” insisting that the former president never ruled himself out of the 2027 contest. “Dr. Jonathan has not, at any point, said he will not run. Those spreading such lies are afraid of his towering influence and his rising acceptability across Nigeria. He remains a decisive factor in 2027, and nothing has changed,” Robert said in a strongly worded statement.
The development has reignited a heated debate about southern unity, especially after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who rode to power in 2023 on the back of the much-advertised “southern shift of power,” has been accused of betraying the very cause he claimed to champion. Political watchers point out that Tinubu ignored repeated calls to build consensus with Jonathan and other southern leaders in the interest of unity, choosing instead to fight Jonathan politically and isolate him in the power chessboard.
Analysts say the irony is striking: Jonathan, who voluntarily handed over power in 2015 to preserve Nigeria’s democracy, is now being vilified and undermined by a president who rode on the slogan of “renewed hope.” The alleged media campaign to suggest that Jonathan had abandoned the race is seen as part of a wider plot to weaken his political base ahead of 2027.
“This is not just about Jonathan,” said a top political commentator. “This is about betrayal. Tinubu promised southern solidarity, but once in power, he fought Jonathan and frustrated efforts at genuine southern unity. Now that Jonathan is staging a comeback, they want to discredit him by spreading lies that he has given up.”
Already, voices across the South-South and South-East have rallied in Jonathan’s defense, warning that any attempt to silence him would backfire. For them, Jonathan represents more than a candidate; he is a symbol of fairness, equity, and national balance. His possible candidacy in 2027 is seen as the strongest chance of correcting the perceived injustices of Tinubu’s administration, which many say has widened divisions instead of healing them.
In a country already struggling with economic hardship, insecurity, and disillusionment, Jonathan’s name continues to resonate with millions of Nigerians who recall his era as one of relative stability and freedom. The very notion that he could be forced to abandon his ambitions for the sake of “unity” is being met with strong resistance by his loyalists, who insist that unity cannot be achieved by suppressing credible leaders.
As things stand, Jonathan’s denial has electrified the political terrain and intensified the countdown to 2027. Far from stepping aside, the former president appears to be standing taller than ever before, preparing for a showdown with President Tinubu, the very man who, critics say, betrayed southern unity and is now determined to stop him at all costs.
One thing is clear: the 2027 election is no longer just a contest for power. It is shaping into a battle of legacies, loyalty, and the soul of southern Nigeria.