Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan against joining the 2027 presidential race, citing the need for Jonathan to maintain his dignified position as a respected global leader amidst political turmoil in Nigeria.
Lamido made this known in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain urged Jonathan to stay away from partisan political contests, describing calls for his candidacy as desperate and lacking substantive reasoning.
Lamido Warns Against Desperate Calls
According to Lamido, it is unfair to drag Jonathan into the current murky political arena, especially with nomination deadlines approaching for the 2027 general election. He stated, "The call for President Jonathan to hop into the political arena, no matter how well intentioned, stemmed from the helplessness and hopelessness Nigeria has found itself in. For now, President Jonathan needs to maintain his dignified position as our sovereign ownership."
Lamido added, "While the call is appreciated, it is a desperation call lacking in any depth beyond being a ventilator of frustration. President Jonathan must not fall for this ego caress call! We can save him for the future."
Reactions to Lamido's Advice
Several social media users reacted to Lamido's statement. Usman Zubairu commented, "Baba is right, it's not the right moment for the former president to join the presidential race despite the political turmoil. It will only downgrade his value as a recognized icon in the world and Africa at large."
Dr. Bashir Sani disagreed, saying, "President GEJ should throw his hat in the contest. By doing so, the political arena will be crowded by many gladiators, limiting President Tinubu's second-term re-election bid and paving way for a runoff."
Gospilo Etim supported Lamido, stating, "That's my position too, my very respected leader. The most qualified President I never had in 2016." Sagir Magaji noted, "From the beginning, I thought he could be the right candidate for PDP, until I read this piece. GEJ is respected by every Nigerian; let that respect remain with him forever."
Laminu Isyaku added, "This is a truthful statement and a reflection of foresight. Contesting in an election is not what suits Goodluck Jonathan at the moment. Remaining on the sidelines to study Nigeria's condition is best."
Peter Obi's Stance on 2027 Race
Recall that Peter Obi addressed the 2027 presidential race, dismissing claims that Jonathan could pose a threat to his ambition. Obi said he is focused on building a better Nigeria rather than rival candidates. He noted that the NDC screening reflected commitment to due process and accountability in candidate selection.
PDP Clears Jonathan for 2027
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the PDP cleared Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Controversies arose over Jonathan's candidacy amidst mixed reactions from Nigerians. Different PDP factions have challenged Jonathan's readiness and strategic alignment for the upcoming race.
This report was prepared by Adekunle Dada, a trained journalist with over eight years of experience in metro, government policy, and international issues. He is the Politics and Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng.
