Jonathan 2027 Comeback: Court Hearings Begin As Ex-President Consults
By: Abudu Olalekan
Right now, attention turns to Goodluck Jonathan. Politics in Nigeria stays wide awake.
Thursday saw the event unfold. At his Abuja office, ex-President Jonathan sat with young activists. Their visit had a purpose – urging him toward the 2027 race. Voices rose, making their hopes clear. Attention stayed fixed as he took it all in. Words flowed, but no vow slipped out. Silence held where answers might have been. Not now, not ever? That part remained unseen.
“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. The presidential race is not a computer game,” he told them.
It came down to talking with lots of people first. Making choices at that level takes time, right? Jumping too fast wasn’t an option when politics were involved. Still, he gave credit where it was due – young people stepping up caught his attention. Showing up matters when building a nation. Without some connection to where you are, there’s little reason to be part of it.
But here’s where it shifts.
Friday now. As his voice carried toward young listeners, judges in Abuja readied a case. Not later than today. One aiming to block his run in 2027. Why? Because, it claims, he already served more terms than allowed by law.
A man named Johnmary Jideobi works as a lawyer. Because of this, he brought a case to court. The request? That Jonathan should be ruled unfit. At the same time, INEC must not take steps toward listing him. Assigned number: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025. On April 28 came an instruction – Judge Peter Lifu directed notices go out for hearing. First up stands Jonathan, named as the main person on trial. Following behind, INEC appears too – slotted in right after, tied into the case alongside him. The Attorney-General of the Federation comes next, pulled in just afterward, placed firmly at number three.
Talking through the elections, Jonathan pointed out how few people show up to vote in Nigeria. Not one time has turnout been high, he said. From West Africa to Southeast Asia, around fourteen nations or more, he’s watched ballots cast. Each round, without fail, Nigeria falls behind all others when it comes to showing up.
“I think INEC needs to do something about it. They need to start getting consultants to look at it. And what is the cause? As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he stated.
Young people were told to go get their voter cards. Without one, what right do you have to demand he runs? That idea sat at the center. Thoughts turned overseas too – how Nigeria is seen by others. Broken leadership through the decades helped shape that view.
After that comes the gathering thing.
Out of nowhere, the Nigeria Democratic Congress shot down rumors. Not a single agreement exists with Jonathan before 2027, they claim. Instead, talks about who will carry their flag continue behind closed doors. While guesses fly, decisions remain far from settled.
Thursday brought words from Abdulmumin Abdulsalam in Abuja. As deputy voice of the NDC, he stood firm on zoning – none taken so far. The idea of Jonathan returning? Not even close to settled. Talks about who might run remain wide open. No moves made behind closed doors either.
“The NDC is a party that believes in merging ideas and consultations across boards. I can categorically tell you that we have not zoned the presidential ticket. Consultations are still ongoing since politics is a dynamic game,” he said.
Now comes a moment when attention shifts unexpectedly. Interest grows, not just among opponents but even those in power. The NDC stands like a figure everyone suddenly notices. A presence hard to ignore at this point.
Out of nowhere, rumors popped up saying the NDC might pick Jonathan as its top candidate. Abdulsalam brushed them off – just talk floating around. Nothing official has taken shape within the party’s inner circle. Still, he pointed out, nothing blocks Jonathan legally if things shift down the line.
“But I can tell you that everything is still possible in the case of former President Jonathan. He is a Nigerian who is eminently qualified to fly the flag of the party on any platform of his choice. But as of today, we have no pact with him,” Abdulsalam added.
Waiting begins. Inside the courtroom, arguments unfold slowly. Advice comes through Jonathan’s meetings. Open still, the NDC stays without closing.
For sure, this game keeps moving fast.
