The All Progressives Congress Media Network has warned former President Goodluck Jonathan against joining the 2027 presidential race, alleging that the move is a ploy to weaken the South-South’s support for President Bola Tinubu.
The group’s position was contained in a statement on Sunday by its Director-General, Iniobong John.
The Peoples Democratic Party has zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, with Jonathan reportedly among those being considered.
But the APC Media Network urged the former president to resist what it described as “evil machinations” aimed at dragging him into another electoral defeat.
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress Media Network wishes to address recent rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be drafted into the 2027 presidential race to face President Bola Tinubu. We believe this would be a disastrous political decision for him. Not only would he likely be defeated by President Tinubu, but he would also risk losing his status as an international statesman and the honours and recognition he earned after conceding defeat and leaving office in 2015.”
The group stressed that Jonathan’s chances of defeating an incumbent president were slim.
“Given his defeat as incumbent president in 2015, it’s unlikely he could defeat another incumbent president, particularly one with President Tinubu’s strong grip on the game. We are confident that President Tinubu’s popularity and achievements will only continue to grow, making it an uphill task for any opponent,” it said.
While urging Jonathan to prioritise his global statesmanship over “personal ambition,” the group added:
“His legacy as a statesman and peacemaker has earned him international recognition, and we wouldn’t want to see him risk losing that reputation. As someone who demonstrated wisdom and humility in 2015, we encourage him to continue prioritising national stability and progress.”
The APC Media Network further claimed that those pushing Jonathan’s candidacy were only seeking to divide the South and pave the way for a northern candidate.
“It’s worth noting that those scheming to drag Jonathan into the race know he cannot defeat President Tinubu. Their true intention is to exploit the situation to break Southern solidarity, potentially enhancing the chances of a Northern presidential candidate. However, this plot is dead on arrival. The Southern bloc remains committed to President Tinubu’s vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria,” the statement read.
The group concluded that Tinubu’s second-term ambition was unstoppable.
“To those scheming to stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we want to clearly state that they are fighting a lost battle. President Tinubu will be overwhelmingly re-elected by Nigerians who appreciate the many reforms and initiatives undertaken by his administration to drive progress and development in the country,” it added.