The call for another Jonathan presidency reflects the four attitudes to a death: denial, rage, negotiation and acceptance

Some political losses are like death. To those who win, especially when the loser is a man in the top office of the land like Goodluck Jonathan, it is like a big iroko that crashes through a forest. No tree or leaf or bough is stout enough to repulse the thuds, hisses and howls of its fatal fall.

The victors, the likes of Buhari and his APC, could have looked at Jonathan’s fall as “a magnificent death,” the same way Joseph Conrad penned an obituary, in his metaphoric story titled: Youth about the bonfire of a ship at sea.

Hear the prose master: “A magnificent death had come like a grace, like a gift, like a reward to that old ship at the end of her laborious days.”

If it was a reward for the victor, it was a sackcloth for Jonathan and his PDP. So, the clamour for his return is an effort at resurrection. We were all witnesses to the death and burial, and there has been none like it since the birth of this nation. Jonathan set a record for presidential failure as the first to go belly up in office. We saw Pastor Orubebe and his hysteria at the funeral hour. Jonathan consecrated his annulment in a concession telephone call to Buhari that went viral.

The call for another Jonathan presidency reflects the four attitudes to a death: denial, rage, negotiation and acceptance. His people, and Jonathan even, have not reached the acceptance stage. They see Jonathan as the Prophet Joel who didn’t go belly up but must survive the biblical whale’s belly, the revenant politician. The thing about mourning is that when mourners have not reached the acceptance phase, they show denial, rage and negotiations, sometimes have the psychosis of witnessing all of them at the same time.

We saw it in Bala Mohammed in his many spasms. We saw it in Jerry Gana, and his many shadowy advocates. We see it also in Jonathan, who cannot come out in one word to say he will or will not. He does not feel it is the end of his hope, and perhaps, his ambition still flickers in denial and does not agree with Shakespeare that “he that dies pays all debts.” He probably believes Nigerians owe him.

Mourning in politics means a lot. You mourn a loss of prestige, the privilege of access, the contracts and perks, the new palaces here and abroad, the fattening wallets in dollars and pounds and Euros, the family flamboyance at shopping malls in Europe and North America, the social standing, the free tickets, the photo ops at high-profile events and with the high and mighty, the top perch at social parties, the small impunities over the lives of “lesser” beings, the village honour, the syrupy flatteries.

Jonathan and his acolytes mourn these. So does the PDP that has been in disarray for some time. Some of those in the interloper party, The ADC, are now bored because they cannot get those perks. It is not about the people. It is the flattery and magnificence of high office.

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The Jonathan who became president and tugged at the popular conscience with his “I had no shoes” rhetoric was a different one who sought re-election. He was known as clueless, and this column called him famously as “his excellency the snake.” But he somehow believed that he would win again. A top politician told me recently about how many henchmen assured him the north was solid for him. He was too naïve to doubt. They told him he had Jigawa, Kano, Zamfara, and they did that to “collect”. And they did in spades. Hence his recent outburst about politicians who betray.

He had that in mind. And they were the same order of men who sweetened him into disaster.

They in the words of Shakespeare in Macbeth, flatterers of “yesterdays (who) have lighted fools the way to dusty death.” But Jonathan must be thinking about his chances, and the most challenging is not about getting a ticket, it is whether if he gets a ticket, it will not be in vain.

As Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo cautioned, the constitution has said you cannot be sworn in more than twice as president. It is booby trap.

So, while he and his men may be mourning a death that occurred in 2015, he may be wary of a second death, apologies to the Book of revelations. But a second death is a revelation that comes as a prophecy he is wary of fulfilling.

Jonathan has made himself to believe he is an African statesman, simply because he accepted in public that he did not win the polls, and waxed poetic about his ambition not worth the blood of innocent lives. It is the sort of meekness that brought him to power in “I had no shoes,” that also inspired his presidential epitaph that he did not want his ambition to equate the shedding of innocent blood.

But politics is not for meek people. Ambition, as Shakespeare wrote, is made of “sterner stuff.” Jonathan had good luck and it made him a president. It did not redound to good governance, good welfare, well-calibrated policies. In fact, the policies under his watch contributed to the distortions in the economy now under repair.

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But what some are seeing as his second birth of good luck are the one-term opportunity for the South, and what some see as an economic situation that strains the poor. Another factor is their reliance on collective amnesia and some non-Yoruba in the South’s belief that, somehow, they can snatch it for one term.

It is in this context that Peter Obi, ever the hustler, is now a homeless man seeking a shelter of opportunity.

So, what we have are a few impediments for Jonathan. The biggest of them is the law. It forbids his ambition. Two, he may have to struggle for a party that will damn the law. The PDP does not seem to have goose pimples at his prospects except for a few self-serving carpet baggers who want to climb on his back and have, at least, a job to do until that scheme goes belly up again.

Again, for a Jonathan that did not heal an economy but broke it, many businesses will remember how broke they were in his days. If a collective amnesia holds forth today, an election campaign can rip up the scab of his time. The ethnic factor, ever an unspoken part of the Jonathan proposal, may turn out to be a bad market because he will return to the dog whistles of tribe and faith that may turn him into the Obi sort of divisive candidacy that may not work again this time.

So, what we may have is not Goodluck Jonathan of 2011, but a man of hard luck. It all seemed picture perfect for him.

He did one term and he is the perfect man to complete it but the law says no. He could play messiah for an economy but his past says he failed. He cannot conjure tribe and faith or he will compete with Obi who did it and we know the result.

So, what we have is Jonathan of bad luck in a time of opportunity. This leaves him and his acolytes to decide whether to accept his political obituary or return to the doomed cycle of denial, rage and negotiation, like Marieke Lucas Rijneveld’s award-winning novel, The Discomfort of Evening. The novel, written in a register of lugubrious innocence, tracks a family that finds it hard to live in acceptance of son’s death.

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-Culled: The Nation

Governor Uba Sani named President Bola Tinubu and late Gani Fawehinmi as his political mentors, but avoided mentioning former governor Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai previously described Sani as his mentee, while Sani once hailed El-Rufai as his “boss, mentor, friend, and ally” in a 2022 birthday tribute

Despite El-Rufai’s past support that helped Sani rise politically, the two leaders have since fallen out after the 2023 elections.…click link for full details

Several positive developments have emerged for former President Goodluck Jonathan following an official announcement from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

As the ADC gains official status, it may become a crucial player in future elections, possibly influencing Jonathan’s political aspirations and strategies moving forward. Click link to continue reading.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the new leadership of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), with former Senate President, Senator David Bonaventure Mark, emerging as National Chairman.

INEC confirmed the change in the party’s particulars on its official website on Wednesday in Abuja, effectively ending months of leadership tussle within the ADC.

According to the commission, the newly approved National Working Committee will be headed by Senator Mark as National Chairman, while former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has been listed as the National Secretary.

Other members include Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as National Treasurer; Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary; and former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, as National Legal Adviser.

The development is expected to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders expressing optimism about its renewed direction.

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Meanwhile, according to The Punch, the ruling APC has already endorsed Tinubu for a second term, banking on incumbency and its control of 23 governors, 70 senators, and 220 House members.

The opposition remains divided. The ADC is pushing to unite discontented members of the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP, while the PDP itself is weakened by internal crises.

Among possible challengers, Atiku Abubakar stands out. The Adamawa politician, who has contested six times since 1993, polled nearly seven million votes and won 12 states in 2023. His strong northern base, finances, and national profile remain key strengths.

But he faces hurdles: voter fatigue, age, he will be 81 in 2027, and criticism of refusing to step aside. Analysts say his chances depend on picking a youthful southern running mate and forging alliances with Obi or Kwankwaso. Without that, the opposition risks splitting and giving Tinubu an easy win.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is also being courted as a consensus southern candidate. Both PDP and ADC are said to be working to put him on the ballot.

Analysts see him as a strong option because he would serve only one term, likely attracting northern backing. Supporters add that his statesmanlike image, global reputation, and ability to ease southern divisions make him a credible challenger to Tinubu.

A chieftain of the ADC, and Jonathan’s supporter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “He’s the best of all the opposition leaders today.

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“He’s experienced and has demonstrated commitment to the unity and peace of the country by conceding defeat to Buhari in 2015.

“Of other aspirants, Jonathan has only a term to serve.

“That’s a sure bargain for the North.

“If he agrees to contest, we can persuade Atiku to nominate a vice presidential candidate. With that, victory is sure for the ADC.”

Jonathan’s possible comeback, however, faces uncertainty due to constitutional questions about his eligibility. Since he completed Umaru Yar’Adua’s tenure before winning in 2011, legal experts are split on whether he can legally run for president again.

Nwauju further warned that the experiences of previous leaders who relied on similar transactional systems show that such loyalties are inherently temporary.

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The prospects of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan entering the presidential race in 2027 are becoming increasingly evident, particularly in light of recent developments surrounding his potential candidacy.

This situation serves as a clear signal to the ruling party to fortify its strategies in anticipation of the heightened competition that might arise, especially as Jonathan reportedly holds clandestine meetings with influential political figures throughout the nation.

A significant factor amplifying the discussions in political circles is the unexpected appearance of campaign posters featuring Goodluck Jonathan alongside Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, adorned with the logo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

This development has sparked widespread speculation and concern across various online platforms, suggesting that Jonathan’s ambitions may be more serious than previously thought.

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Recently, Governor Bala Mohammed made an appearance on Channels Television’s program “Politics Today,” where he disclosed that the PDP is contemplating several prominent southern politicians as potential candidates for the 2027 presidential election. Among those mentioned were Jonathan and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, emphasizing the party’s strategic considerations moving forward.

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Additionally, while Governor Mohammed is a prominent figure within the PDP and currently leads the party’s Governors’ Forum, he has downplayed any rumors suggesting he is positioning himself for the vice-presidential nomination in 2027. He clarified that the selection of a running mate should ultimately be determined by the candidate who secures the presidential nomination.

However, the presence of his image on campaign materials alongside Jonathan indicates a shifting landscape within the party and suggests that dynamics are evolving as the PDP gears up for its National Convention later this year.

The implications of these developments are significant, as they may alter the trajectory of the party’s candidate selection process and shape the political landscape leading into the next election cycle.

The actual reason President Bola Tinubu sacked the former special assistant on digital and creative economy, Fagbo Umunubo, who worked at the office of Vice President Kashim Shettima.

It was learnt that the former presidential aide was sacked because he was linked to several scams in the creative industry. It was learnt that Umunubo allegedly executed many of the scams under the cover of his presidential office.

According to Premium Times, Several sources within the presidency disclosed that Umunubo struck several dubious sponsorship deals with some filmmakers and creatives. He promised them government support funding and visibility that never came to fruition.

Some of the most prominent cases included a sponsorship deal he made with the filmmaker and author, Arese Ugwu, the man who created the “The Smart Money Woman” series.

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The medium cited a document that showed Umunubi, using his position as the special assistant to the president on digital and creative economy, to make deals. He had promised a sponsorship worth N10 million for the marketing and premiere of Lara Unlimited, a spin-off of Ms Ugwu’s work.

It was reported that part of the agreement included promotional rights for the digital economy office in the presidency, which the movie posters and backdrops would have its brand. Before the screening, a 30-45 second advert will come before, it will also be featured in podcast episodes and Ms Ugwu and other influencers’ shoutouts.

The sacking of Umunubo was disclosed in a statement from the office of the presidency, warning the public to desist from addressing him as a member of his administration. The president warned that any member of the public who addressed Umunubo as a member of his government “does so at his or her own risk”.

In the statement, which was signed by Abiodun Oladunjoye, the director of information and public relations at the state house, the presidency explained that Umunubo no longer represents the Tinubu administration “in any capacity.

The government then warned the public against relating to Umunubo as a member of the Tinubu government, adding that any Nigerian doing that “does so at his or her own risk.” He added that the warning was to guide the public about the former presidential aide.

In a significant development, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is actively exploring the possibility of returning to the political landscape for the 2027 presidential election.

His plans appear to be gaining momentum as he seeks the support and endorsement of key influential figures in Nigeria.

Despite the challenges he faced in the 2015 elections when the late Muhammadu Buhari defeated him, Jonathan remains determined and optimistic about his potential political future. 

He is reportedly planning to align himself with one of the opposition parties to challenge the current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Despite the vocal objections from his wife, Patience Jonathan, who has emphatically stated that she does not wish to see her husband return to the presidential villa, the former governor of Bayelsa State continues to generate buzz and speculation around his potential candidacy.

His determination to re-enter the political fray has captured the public’s attention, sparking discussions about the implications of his candidacy.

In the midst of this political intrigue, a cautionary message has emerged from Prophet Julius Okonkwo, a respected cleric who currently serves as the presiding pastor of Kingdom Seeker Ministries in the United States.

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He has publicly urged Goodluck Jonathan to heed his wife’s advice and reconsider his aspirations to contest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 elections.

Prophet Okonkwo’s warning adds an air of foreboding to Jonathan’s plans, emphasizing the potential ramifications of pursuing this high-stakes political endeavor.

“I have sent messages to Jonathan many times, those who are pushing him are his enemies, they are pushing him for disgrace, and he has not strength and political intelligence to defeat Tinubu. Contesting against him will reduce his level of respect in the world. His wife is right, she’s a woman of wisdom, and he should listen to her.”