Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, boldly asserts that former President Goodluck Jonathan stands no chance against the All Progressives Congress (APC) if he runs for the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole argued that Jonathan’s political base in the South-South has eroded significantly since 2015, making it nearly impossible for him to mount a serious challenge against the ruling party.
“We will defeat him flatly if he comes out because now, the South-South is no longer PDP. So where is he going to start from?” Oshiomhole asked pointedly.
The former Edo State governor further warned that only those who wish Jonathan harm would push him to re-enter the political fray. He stressed that such a move would tarnish the former president’s well-established legacy.
“How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before, when PDP was truly PDP. If a man had a PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election,” Oshiomhole declared.
He advised Jonathan to preserve his status as a respected statesman, cautioning against any attempts to return to power after already serving eight years as president.
“If I were able to advise him, I would say, Sir, maintain this status. You governed for eight years; you don’t have to govern for nine years,” Oshiomhole said. “He has managed to demonstrate that out of power, you can be relevant and be at peace.”
Oshiomhole also commended Jonathan for his historic concession in the 2015 election, which he said elevated his global stature.
Similarly, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, the PDP’s 2023 governorship candidate, echoed Oshiomhole’s sentiment. Adediran advised Jonathan against yielding to pressures to run for president again, warning that he would face an uphill battle against President Bola Tinubu.
Oshiomhole also reiterated that Jonathan’s famous quote about his blood not being worth the blood of any Nigerian should remain a part of his lasting legacy.
Both leaders agreed that Jonathan would be making a significant political risk by re-entering the race, and would likely be outpaced by Tinubu in the election.
