The now-widely circulated post, which appeared on an Instagram page bearing Jonathan’s name, criticized Nigeria’s current leadership and hinted at a potential comeback. The caption read:
“Since our current leaders are pretending to sleep, we pray that we will get our good leadership back in 2027; your choice will determine the betterment of our future.”
Accompanying the message was a background soundtrack and an AI-generated image of Jonathan shaking hands with former U.S. President Donald Trump a visual that further fueled online speculation.
The post quickly gained traction, racking up more than 16,000 views and over 1,200 comments, with many social media users interpreting it as a subtle declaration of political intent.
However, in a swift response, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s long-serving spokesperson, dismissed the post as completely false and misleading.
“Former President Jonathan does not own an Instagram account,” Eze told TheCable on Friday, distancing the former leader from the controversial content.
Recurring Trend of False Political Associations
This is not the first time Dr. Jonathan has had to debunk claims of a political comeback made on his behalf. In 2022, he publicly disclaimed a presidential nomination form purchased for him by a support group aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the 2023 general elections.
At the time, his media office released a statement clarifying that Jonathan neither knew about the form nor authorized any such action.
“He was not aware of this bid and did not authorise it,” the statement said, adding that the former president remained committed to his role as an advocate for democracy, peace, and good governance across Africa.
Jonathan’s Legacy and 2027 Speculations
Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, is widely remembered for conceding defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election a move that earned him international praise for strengthening democratic norms in Nigeria.
Since leaving office, he has taken on roles as a peace envoy, most notably with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and has steered clear of active partisan politics.
Despite recurring speculation about a possible return to office, Jonathan has repeatedly stated that he is focused on fostering peace and credible elections across the African continent.
