The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against responding to appeals to enter the 2027 presidential race, asserting that Jonathan would not be able to defeat Tinubu in the general elections.
Speaking on a national Television recently, Bwala said that such a move could rather tarnish the reputation that the former Nigerian leader has built since leaving office.
NewsQuest reports that although Jonathan’s presidency at the end, was widely criticized due to soaring unemployment, insecurity related to Boko Haram insurgency in the North, and significant corruption scandals involving state funds during his administration, the former President’s reputation has undergone a notable transformation.
The former Nigerian leader has also experienced a renaissance in his public image both locally and internationally – and has been invited severally to speak at global forums on democracy and peace-building. He has served as an election observer in African countries, and has been appointed to roles such as the chairperson of the International Summit Council for Peace and special envoy for regional mediation.
According to the Special Adviser, “I see that some unscrupulous elements are trying to hoodwink former President Goodluck Jonathan into politics so they can destroy his reputation, which he has been building globally since leaving government.”
Although Jonathan has not declared any interest in the 2027 race, Bwala maintained that if he did, the outcome would be unfavourable.
“If President Jonathan decides to run, let me tell you, based on the current political climate in Nigeria, there is not a single politician that has the capacity to knock off President Bola Tinubu,” he declared.
