2027: Farotimi Criticizes Talk of Jonathan’s Return, Calls It a Rebrand of Failure

Frontline lawyer and political commentator, Dele Farotimi, has criticized ongoing efforts by some political actors to rebrand former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that bringing him back will not resolve Nigeria’s deep-rooted issues.

In an interview published by Channels Television, Farotimi questioned the rationale behind reviving Jonathan’s political image, noting that Nigerians voted him out in 2015 for reasons they believed were valid at the time.

“There were valid reasons Nigerians removed Goodluck Jonathan in 2015,” he said. “He was vilified, labeled, and rejected. The press, the churches, the mosques — everyone joined in the chorus, believing his removal would solve Nigeria’s problems. But here we are, and we’re now trying to repackage him as a saviour.”

Farotimi warned that replacing President Bola Tinubu with Jonathan in 2027 would not lead to meaningful change if the current system of governance remains intact.

“We’re not looking for saviours,” he emphasized. “It’s about building systems, not recycling failed personalities. Even if Tinubu is removed today, as long as the evil system remains, nothing will change.”

The lawyer expressed concern over what he sees as a recurring political pattern in Nigeria — one where the focus is placed on changing individuals rather than reforming institutions.

“How do you rebrand the failure of 2015 into a saint and saviour in 2025?” he asked. “They want to bring Jonathan back because he seems like the safest option for them, not because he offers any real solution.”

Farotimi stressed that the challenges facing Nigeria go beyond personalities and must be addressed structurally. “We should be talking about rebuilding the nation through strong institutions, not romanticizing the past,” he said.

Rumors have been swirling about Jonathan possibly entering the 2027 presidential race, with some seeing him as a potential consensus candidate to unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were defeated in 2015 by the APC and then-candidate Muhammadu Buhari.