By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A group of northern political leaders have begun working to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race, sources close to the matter have revealed.

The move is seen as a strategic attempt to capitalize on the growing discontent with the current administration, particularly in the northern region.

Professor Khalifa Dikwa, Dean of the Borno Elders Forum, expressed the northern elite’s discontent with President Bola Tinubu’s leadership during a national television appearance. He said the northern region of the country was unhappy with Tinubu because of his “misfit and weak appointees” as well as his “anti-people policies”.

The political analyst said the northern elite were “not happy because each of these policies affects the north entirely”.He said: “Most of the appointees are either misfits or weak or to the wrong places,” adding that the appointments by the Tinubu administration were “lopsided”. Dikwa added that even “the southern elite should be annoyed because Nigeria is more than Lagos”, describing it as “provocative”.

According to sources, the plan is already in motion, with some prominent northern politicians, including Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, making public statements in support of Jonathan’s potential candidacy.

Mohammed recently stated that he would not contest the presidency if Jonathan decides to run, fueling speculation about a possible Jonathan candidacy.

He said: “With regards to your call for me to present myself, I am still contemplating my chances as the leader of the opposition. I know there are good leaders within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), especially my boss Goodluck Jonathan.

“I have always said that as long as Jonathan is around, I will not present myself for leadership of this country, unless he decides not to run. If we can persuade him to come forward, I will support him with my blood. Out of modesty, he is still not ready. I hope you will meet him and encourage him to run.“He will do a better job because he has the experience. We know the prices of things; we know the level of inflation. His leadership recruitment was exemplary. We need leaders like him – young people with energy, foresight, and drive,” Mohammed argued.

The northern elites are reportedly drawn to Jonathan’s experience and inclusive leadership style, which they believe would address the region’s pressing issues, such as the Almajiri system and youth unemployment. They also see Jonathan as a safe bet, given his past record of addressing northern concerns.

“And because of the aftermath of the last national protest, they believe that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost ground across the North. So, that’s the problem,” the source added.

However, Jonathan’s confidants have downplayed the reports of his interests in the 2027 presidency, describing them as premature and emphasizing the former president’s focus on his international assignments and humanitarian work.

This talk about running or not running is way too early in the scheme of things. The former President is focusing on his international assignments and humanitarian works rather than concern himself with potential run for President in 2027,” a confidant said.

By May 2027, President Tinubu’s first term will end, setting the stage for a potential power shift. If Jonathan decides to run, the South would have completed its eight-year tenure by 2031, aligning with the country’s unofficial tradition of rotating the presidency between regions.

It can be recalled that Jonathan previously served as president from 2010 to 2015, taking over after Umar Yar’Adua’s passing and later conceding to Buhari in the 2015 elections.