The Archbishop Metropolitan and Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan not to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that a return to partisan politics could damage the reputation he has built as a respected statesman.
Ndukuba gave the advice on Saturday while delivering his address at the First Session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja in Abuja.
According to the cleric, Jonathan has already earned a lasting place in Nigeria’s history as a symbol of democratic maturity and peaceful leadership, especially for conceding defeat after the 2015 presidential election.
“We don’t want you to spoil that good name and please, keep off for now, let them just play it. Be the senior citizen that you should be,” Ndukuba said.
He praised the former president’s contributions beyond Nigeria, saying Jonathan remains an important figure not only in the country but also across West Africa and the continent.
“We thank God for your life, not only for Nigeria but for the West Africa region, ECOWAS, and Africa,” he said.
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Ndukuba added that Jonathan’s conduct in and out of office has made him a model of integrity and responsible leadership.
“You are a symbol that should stand; you are a hope for our generation, that it is possible for us to be civil, to lead with integrity, and possible for us to pass on a worthy legacy to those coming after us,” he said.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He lost the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.
His phone call to Buhari conceding defeat before the final results were fully declared was widely praised as a major step that helped calm tensions and avert possible post-election violence.
Since leaving office, Jonathan has emerged as a prominent international statesman, leading election observation missions and peace mediation efforts across Africa on behalf of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
Despite that standing, speculation has recently grown over a possible return by the former president to active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 election.
NAn
