A Bauchi-based social critic, David Adenuga, has appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to resist the mounting pressure to re-enter the presidential contest, cautioning that those urging him to run may have hidden agendas that could ruin his hard-earned reputation.
In his open letter addressed to Jonathan, Adenuga expressed admiration for the former leader’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic process and implored him to prioritize national interests over partisan maneuvers. He stressed that the former president should steer clear of being exploited by ambitious politicians whose motives are self-serving rather than patriotic.
Adenuga noted that the same individuals now championing Jonathan’s comeback were once his fiercest critics during his tenure in office. He warned that these elements could stain Jonathan’s clean image with their corrupt practices and called the situation a game of political chess where Jonathan might be used as a pawn.
He reminded Jonathan that his legacy is anchored in the peaceful transfer of power in 2015 when he conceded defeat despite a tense political environment. This act, Adenuga argued, cemented Jonathan’s place in history, and risking it for a few politicians’ desperation would be unwise.
The commentator also accused some of Jonathan’s current supporters of having lost public trust, saying their damaged reputations should not be allowed to taint Jonathan’s goodwill. He urged the former president to rise above political scheming and safeguard his historical standing.
Meanwhile, it is worth recalling that the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recently nominated Jonathan as its presidential candidate during a special convention in Abuja, setting the stage for a potential 2027 run.