Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan to stay away from partisan political contests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lamido said ongoing calls urging Jonathan to return to active politics were misplaced and largely driven by desperation amid growing political uncertainty in the country.
The former governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
According to Lamido, attempts to draw Jonathan back into the political arena could diminish his reputation as a respected elder statesman both in Nigeria and internationally.
“It is unfair and ill-opportune to drag his person into the current murky political arena populated by unserious, self-seeking and self-serving characters,” Lamido stated.
He argued that Jonathan has moved beyond the stage of active political contests and now belongs among globally respected former leaders whose status and dignity should be preserved.
The PDP chieftain maintained that such statesmen should not be exposed to partisan political struggles and power battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lamido also criticised the current state of political parties in Nigeria, saying many lack clear ideological direction and are mainly focused on securing power.
According to him, the renewed calls for Jonathan’s political comeback are not rooted in any coherent national agenda.
“The call for President Jonathan to hop into the political arena, no matter how well-intentioned, stems from the helplessness and hopelessness Nigeria has found itself in,” he wrote.
He described the pressure on Jonathan as a reflection of public frustration over the country’s economic and political situation.
Lamido further urged the former president to resist what he described as “ego-caressing” appeals from supporters and political actors seeking to benefit from Jonathan’s popularity and credibility.
“While the call is appreciated, it is a desperation call lacking in any depth beyond being a ventilator of frustration,” he added.
The former governor concluded that Jonathan remains an important national figure whose future role, if any, should be approached carefully rather than being hastily drawn into the unfolding political realignments ahead of 2027.
