Former President Goodluck Jonathan has denied media reports claiming he has decided not to contest in the 2027 presidential election, describing such claims as false and misleading.
The clarification came after Newsweek Nigeria published a report suggesting that the former president had opted out of the 2027 race to avoid disrupting Southern political unity. The article, titled “Jonathan Rejects Pressure to Contest in 2027, Says He Won’t Be Used Against Southern Unity,” cited an unnamed aide as its source.
However, the story quickly drew reactions from Jonathan’s camp, especially from his cousin, Azibaola Robert, who dismissed it as fake news and insisted that the former president never said he would not contest.
In a strongly worded Facebook post on Friday afternoon, Azibaola stated that the publication was based on fabrications and not authorised by Jonathan or anyone close to him.
“Former President Goodluck Jonathan has not ruled himself out of the 2027 race,” Azibaola wrote. “He has not said he would not contest, and he has not yielded to any pressure not to run. Those who are pushing such claims have selfish motives.”
He added that the unnamed “Jonathan aide” cited in the report does not exist, and no such statement was issued from the former president’s office or inner circle.
While Jonathan has yet to formally declare his intention to run for president in 2027, political observers believe that quiet consultations are already ongoing across several parts of the country.
Although Jonathan has maintained a relatively low profile since leaving office in 2015, his name continues to surface in political discussions, particularly within factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who view him as a unifying figure.
There has been growing speculation since 2021 that some powerful political interests may back Jonathan to return to Aso Rock for a second and final term, as allowed under Nigeria’s constitution, which limits a president to a maximum of two terms.
One of the key arguments in the Newsweek Nigeria report was that Jonathan chose not to run in 2027 in order to protect southern political unity, amid fears that his candidacy could create a rift between South-South and South-East blocs, or between APC and PDP loyalists.
But Azibaola challenged this narrative, saying such stories are being spread by those threatened by Jonathan’s growing popularity and potential return.
“Some individuals are using the media to project their fears. The truth is, Jonathan has not made any such decision or pronouncement. Any claim to the contrary is pure mischief,” he added.
Jonathan’s name still carries weight among millions of Nigerians, especially in the Niger Delta and parts of the North, where his peace-building efforts and legacy projects are still appreciated.
Since leaving office, he has played a prominent role in international peace missions, particularly across Africa, under the umbrella of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) and the African Union (AU). This has helped maintain his relevance both locally and internationally.
However, a return to frontline politics may pose challenges, especially with party dynamics, internal wrangling, and the need to balance regional interests.
It remains unclear whether Jonathan would run under the platform of his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), or the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which some reports suggest has been courting him in recent years.
For now, the former president continues to keep Nigerians guessing, neither confirming nor denying his next political move.
Azibaola concluded his statement by urging Nigerians to ignore “rumour-driven stories” and wait for an official declaration from Jonathan himself.
“Let’s allow the man to speak for himself when the time is right. Until then, any claims about his 2027 plans are just speculation,” he said.
