By Olatunbosun Obafemi
A pro-Jonathan political pressure group, Bring Back Our Goodluck (BBOG), has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing him as Nigeria’s “surest path” out of insecurity and economic hardship under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Sunday, the group’s national coordinator, Grema Kyari, said Nigerians were “misled in 2015” into voting Jonathan out of power. He argued that the former president’s return was not only desirable but necessary for national recovery.
Kyari drew comparisons with global political comebacks, citing former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ghana’s ex-president John Mahama, both of whom returned to the ballot after leaving office.
“We were misled in 2015 by the APC under the late Muhammadu Buhari, Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo, and Bisi Akande,” Kyari said. “They sold Nigerians deceitful promises which they never fulfilled. Instead of progress, the country has been plunged into hunger, poverty, and frustration.”
The group insisted that Jonathan presided over Nigeria’s “last era of economic stability,” pointing to food prices, agricultural reforms, and youth empowerment initiatives like YouWin! and SURE-P. Kyari contrasted those policies with what he called today’s “biting hardship,” noting that a bag of rice, which sold for N7,800 under Jonathan, now costs as much as N100,000.
He also praised Jonathan’s record as a unifying leader who appointed officials across ethnic and religious divides, saying such inclusive leadership was crucial to healing Nigeria’s deepening divisions.
Kyari further appealed to other opposition heavyweights—including Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Nasir El-Rufai—to set aside personal ambitions and rally behind Jonathan as a consensus candidate.
“2027 will not be just another election year but a rescue mission to stop the APC’s erosion of democracy,” Kyari declared.
The campaign, which began in the North-East, has now moved to the North-West, which Kyari described as “the heartbeat of commerce and political influence in northern Nigeria.” He said the group would expand its mobilisation drive nationwide in the coming months.
Closing the press conference with a direct message to Jonathan, Kyari said: “In 2015, you chose peace over power. In 2027, Nigeria needs you to choose the people again. Let us chase out bad luck, poverty, and hunger. Let us bring back our Goodluck.”
