By Desire Emmanuel
Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Henry Ndukuba, on Saturday, May 16, warned former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to steer clear of the 2027 presidential election.
He warned that his return to partisan politics could diminish the statesmanlike reputation he currently enjoys across Africa and beyond and spoil his name.
The primate said this during the first session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, as the cleric added that Jonathan had already secured a place in history as a symbol of democratic maturity and peaceful leadership.
“We don’t want you to spoil that good name and please, keep off for now, let them just play it,” Ndukuba said in the presence of a gathering of clerics, political figures and worshippers.
“Be the senior citizen that you should be. We thank God for your life, not only for Nigeria but for the West Africa region, ECOWAS and Africa.
“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.
The primate’s admonition came amid increasing political conversations around the 2027 general election and speculation over whether Jonathan could be persuaded to re-enter Nigeria’s political arena.
Jonathan, who delivered a goodwill message at the synod, avoided direct comments on the 2027 presidency but instead called for national reflection, moral rebirth and responsible leadership in the face of worsening insecurity and social decline.
The former president lamented what he described as a growing national desensitisation to violence and bloodshed, warning that Nigerians were gradually becoming accustomed to tragedies that once united the country in grief and outrage.
