A social commentator in Bauchi State, David Adenuga has urged former President, Goodluck Jonathan to ignore the growing calls for his return to the presidential race, warning that some political actors pushing the idea could tarnish his legacy.
In a letter titled, “An Open Letter to Former President Goodluck Jonathan,” the observer said Jonathan should be careful not to allow himself to be drawn into partisan calculations driven by ambition rather than national interest.

“I write this letter as a concerned Nigerian who respects the role you played in Nigeria’s democracy and the peaceful example you set for the country,” he stated.

He cautioned the former president against allowing himself to be used by what he described as desperate political interests.

“I believe this is the time to protect the good name and legacy you have built over the years. You should not allow yourself to be used by desperate political elements who may be more interested in their own ambitions than in the future of Nigeria,” the letter read.

The Social Commentator further warned Jonathan to be wary of those advocating for his comeback, claiming many of them were previously opposed to his administration.

“Many of those calling for your return today were your antagonists, those who frustrated your government back then. You should be careful not to become a pawn in a game designed by others or else they will stain your white with their ‘roforofo’,” he said.

He maintained that Jonathan’s legacy remains defined by his decision to concede defeat in 2015, which he described as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.

“Your legacy was built through years of public service and your decision to put the country’s peace above personal ambition at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history. That legacy should not be put at risk because of the desperation of a few politicians,” he added.

Adenuga also alleged that some of the promoters of Jonathan’s return have lost credibility in the public space.

“The truth is that some of the people pushing you to contest have already damaged their own reputations. They should not be allowed to stain your legacy with their soiled hands. What they could not achieve on their own should not be pursued through your name and goodwill,” he stated.

He concluded by urging the former president to remain above political manoeuvring and protect his place in history.

“History has been kind to you. Preserve that honour and remain above the political games of those who want to use your name for their own purposes,” he wrote.

Recall that former President Goodluck Jonathan recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party following a special convention held in Abuja, where delegates ratified his nomination ahead of the 2027 general election.

The National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, has cleared a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, says Duke’s clearance came after the Primaries Appeal Committee finished reviewing the recent primary elections. The NWC approved the committee’s report.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Muhammed Ishaq, on Saturday, said the NWC also approved results of governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly primaries.

Ishaq disclosed that all declared candidates were approved to run in the 2027 general elections, except for the Tarauni Federal Constituency in Kano, where the primary election was canceled.

He said the party plans to field 420 candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Ishaq said, “In line with our dedication to being actively involved in the election process, the PRP is proud to have 420 candidates running for all the positions in the 2027 general elections.”

He expressed the PRP’s commitment to the principles of internal democracy and service, as well as to delivering credible and transformative leadership for the country.

Two weeks after the African Democratic Congress, ADC, governorship primary election in Benue State, the declared winner, Herman Hembe, is yet to receive his Certificate of Return, amid an ongoing review of the exercise by the party’s national leadership.

The development follows petitions submitted by some aspirants who are demanding a fresh primary, alleging that the process that produced the reported winner was flawed and failed to reflect the wishes of party members.

A party source told our reporter on Saturday that the national body of the ADC is currently reviewing the outcome of the exercise, hence the delay in issuing a certificate of return to Hembe.

The petitioners, Joseph Waya and Peter Adejoh, in separate petitions to the party leadership, raised concerns over the conduct of the exercise and called for a review of the outcome.They also urged the party to constitute a new governorship electoral committee made up of individuals who are neither indigenes nor residents of Benue State to guarantee neutrality and credibility in any subsequent process. 

In a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Saturday, Waya faulted a memo reportedly issued by ‘The Herman Hembe Gubernatorial Campaign Organisation Benue 2027’ announcing the constitution of a committee to select a running mate for the Benue ADC governorship ticket.

According to him, the party has yet to conclude its review of the primary election.

However, despite the development, Hembe has set up a nine-man committee to pick his running mate ahead of 2027 polls.

Reacting, Waya said, “We wish to state that ADC Benue has no governorship candidate yet as the primaries are currently under review by the National Secretariat of the African Democratic Congress in line with directives from the National Chairman and resolutions of the just-concluded NEC.”

He argued that constituting a committee for the selection of a running mate before the conclusion of the review process was premature.

“This is therefore a clear case of putting the cart before the horse, to be shopping for a deputy when the party has not yet declared its governorship candidate.

“It is procedurally improper for any campaign organisation to constitute committees on running mate selection when the substantive ticket remains under review and no candidate has emerged,” he stated.

Waya further noted that the memo referenced consultations with the national and state leadership of the party but did not provide evidence of any formal approval or directive from the National Secretariat.

Similarly, Peter Adejoh, the only governorship aspirant from Benue South Senatorial District, commended the party leadership for reviewing the primary election and expressed confidence that the process would strengthen internal democracy within the ADC.

Adejoh urged the national leadership of the party to ensure that all grievances arising from the exercise are thoroughly addressed in the interest of fairness, transparency and party unity.

“I commend the national leadership of our party for reviewing the governorship primary election. This demonstrates the party’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and internal democracy.

“I believe all concerns raised by aspirants should be carefully considered in the interest of justice, party unity, and the overall success of the ADC in Benue State.

“It is surprising that a committee for the selection of a running mate is being constituted when the party has not concluded its review and no Certificate of Return has been issued. Such actions are capable of creating confusion among party members and the public,” Adejoh said.