Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Sule Lamido, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against returning to active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amid growing political realignments and renewed calls for Jonathan to re-enter the political arena, Lamido described the appeals as misplaced and rooted in desperation rather than any clear political vision.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page on Wednesday, the former governor warned that dragging Jonathan back into partisan contests could damage his standing as a respected elder statesman.
According to Lamido, the former president now occupies a dignified position both in Nigeria and internationally, which should not be diminished by involvement in what he described as today’s “murky political arena.”
“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 maintained that Jonathan has moved beyond the stage of seeking elective office and now belongs to the class of globally respected former leaders whose integrity and status should be preserved.
The PDP stalwart also criticised the current state of political parties in the country, accusing many of lacking ideology and focusing solely on power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lamido argued that the growing calls for Jonathan’s return were not inspired by any coherent national agenda but by widespread frustration over Nigeria’s political and economic challenges.
“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.
Describing the pressure on Jonathan as a “desperation call,” Lamido urged the former president not to yield to what he termed “ego-caressing” appeals by political actors seeking to exploit his name for advantage.
“While the call is appreciated, it is a desperation call lacking in any depth beyond being a ventilator of frustration,” he added.
Lamido concluded that Jonathan remains an important national figure whose future role, if any, should be approached with caution rather than being hastily drawn into the 2027 political contest.
