Amid growing political speculation ahead of the 2027 general elections, Nigeria’s former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has warned against attempts to draw former President Goodluck Jonathan back into active partisan politics, saying such moves could undermine his standing as a respected statesman.
Speaking during a televised interview, Duke said Jonathan’s time in office remains one of the defining periods in Nigeria’s democratic journey, noting that his leadership continues to attract recognition within and outside the country.
He stressed that the former president has already built a legacy that extends beyond electoral politics, adding that efforts to drag him back into partisan contests were unnecessary and potentially damaging.
According to Duke, those pushing the narrative of Jonathan’s possible return may be motivated by political interests rather than concern for national development, arguing that such individuals risk turning the former president into a tool for political calculations.
He maintained that Jonathan’s influence today goes beyond Nigeria, pointing out that the former leader is widely regarded across Africa and the international community as a statesman whose role should be preserved and protected.
Duke further argued that Jonathan is fully aware of the implications surrounding the political discussions about his name and is unlikely to compromise his standing by re-entering the presidential race.
He also noted that rather than attempting to reintroduce Jonathan into electoral competition, attention should be focused on strengthening his role as a global statesman whose experience can benefit Nigeria and the wider African continent.
Duke concluded that Jonathan stands to gain more by maintaining his current status than by risking it in another political contest, describing his influence as one that should be preserved for diplomatic and advisory contributions rather than partisan engagement.
