Jonathan’s 2027 Challenge: APC Shares How Tinubu Remains Unbeatable

• The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos state has broken its silence on the possibility of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
• Amid growing speculations, the APC maintained that Tinubu is unbeatable and highlighted the implications of a Jonathan candidacy in 2027
• APC spoke on Friday, August 29, hours after Jonathan's cousin clarified reports suggesting that the ex-president had dropped out of the 2027 race

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained that it has observed with keen interest the growing speculations surrounding the possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race.

2027: Good luck alone is not a strategy - APC declares

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Jonathan, who lost his reelection bid in 2025 to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is being persuaded by supporters to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.

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Jonathan’s cousin reacts to report of ex-President rejecting pressure to contest in 2027 election

Speaking, the spokesperson of the Lagos state chapter of the APC, Mr Seye Oladejo, in a statement released on Friday, August 29, noted that the former president’s political relevance to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, remained in doubt.

“While we acknowledge the former president’s role in the peaceful democratic transition of 2015 — an act that rightly earned him praise at home and abroad — we must state, in clear terms, that Nigeria has since moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism.

“The challenges of today and the future require bold, capable, and forward-thinking leadership — not a return to the comfort of a past that was far from perfect.

“Let it be clear: good luck alone is not a governance strategy,” he said.

APC speaks on implication of Jonathan candidacy

Speaking further, Oladejo alleged that the Jonathan administration left behind a country grappling with severe structural weaknesses, from unchecked corruption to alarming insecurity and economic inertia.

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2027 elections: “Why we need Christian presidential candidate from South,” PDP breaks silence

“Emotion cannot drive economic reform, and sentimentality will not fix power generation, insecurity, youth unemployment, or education sector decay,” the APC chieftain said.

Oladejo said that the party also noted the constitutional and political complications of a potential Jonathan candidacy.

According to him, having completed more than one term in office, any return bid will inevitably trigger legal contention and political instability.

“As 2027 approaches, let us not reach backwards in desperation, but move forward with courage and clarity,” Oladejo said.

Read more about Jonathan, 2027 election here:

• “Jonathan under pressure to join 2027 race,” Analyst reveals, shares details
• Jonathan's return: Top lawmaker mentions states Tinubu will win if ex-president contests in 2027
• “INEC card reader rejected me”: Jonathan alleges election malpractice in 2015

Jonathan's relative addresses 2027 speculations

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the family of former President Goodluck Jonathan denied reports suggesting he has stepped aside from contesting the 2027 election.

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“Why I opted out of 2027 presidential race,” PDP governor explains

As reported by Vanguard on Friday afternoon, August 29, the rebuttal follows claims in a news report that the Otuoke-born statesman had opted not to run in order not to disrupt Southern unity.

On Friday afternoon, August 29, Jonathan's cousin, Robert Azibaola, dismissed the said report in a post on his verified Facebook page, stressing that the ex-Nigerian leader never said he would not contest in the 2027 election.

Source: Legit.ng