Professor Udenta O. Udenta has said that a possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2027 would turn Nigeria’s next presidential election into a global event. He argued that Jonathan’s decade of international exposure since leaving office has given him a reputation that would attract attention beyond Africa, making the vote more than just a domestic contest.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News from 07:26, on September 16, 2025, Udenta described Jonathan as a “spectre haunting the Nigerian political space,” noting that the talk of his comeback is already causing unease within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He pointed out that the PDP, once thought to be in decline, has rebuilt its internal structures and could mount a serious challenge if Jonathan decides to run. According to Udenta, APC leaders’ public advice to the opposition not to field Jonathan is proof of their concern.
Udenta further explained that Jonathan’s standing as a global statesman and mediator since leaving office in 2015 would draw unprecedented international scrutiny to Nigeria’s electoral process. He argued that the world would be watching closely to ensure a fair contest, adding that Jonathan’s one-term guarantee could unite southern voters and attract support from northern leaders seeking stability.
“If he comes back with 10 years of deep experience and exposure in international politics, the contest therefore in 2027 will no longer be a national contest but an international contest,” Udenta said. “That means the eyes of the world will be on the country. Anybody planning to leverage state power will face acute and intense scrutiny of the electoral process, which may be unprecedented in our history.” Explore , More , News>>>
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