The National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Dan Nwanyanwu, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Nwanyanwu claimed that many of the individuals now encouraging Jonathan to run are the same political actors who abandoned and undermined him during his time in office—and are now pushing him forward for their own selfish agendas.
“I intend to meet with President Jonathan soon, but I believe he should wait,” Nwanyanwu said. “I stand with Madam Patience Jonathan, who opposes her husband running in 2027. The very people calling on him today are the same ones who betrayed him—an honest man, a man with good policies for Nigeria. They betrayed him then, and now they want to use him to clean up their mess.”
Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2011 to 2015, first assumed office following the death of then-president Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, after serving as vice president. He later contested and won the 2011 election but lost his 2015 re-election bid to the late Muhammadu Buhari.
As the 2027 election approaches, several political voices—particularly within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—have urged Jonathan to join the race, arguing that his experience and national appeal make him a viable contender.
Jonathan has not declared any intention to run. On multiple occasions, he has stated that returning to the presidential race is not part of his immediate plans.
Since leaving office, the former president has devoted his time to international diplomacy, peace-building missions, and election observation roles across Africa.
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