The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Nigerians to look past the politics of nostalgia and sentiment linked to former President Goodluck Jonathan, emphasizing the need for forward-thinking leadership as the 2027 general election approaches.
APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo made the remarks on Friday amid growing speculation about Jonathan’s potential return to the presidential race. Though unconfirmed, reports suggest that discussions may be underway to draft the former president as a candidate.
Jonathan, who was defeated by the late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2025 during a reelection bid, has seen a resurgence of public interest in his political future. However, the APC insists that his time has passed.
“While we acknowledge the former president’s contribution to Nigeria’s democratic transition in 2015, which earned him widespread acclaim, we must assert that the nation has moved beyond the politics of sentiment, nostalgia, and symbolism,” Oladejo stated.
According to him, Nigeria’s current and future challenges demand “bold, capable, and forward-thinking leadership not a retreat into a past that was far from perfect.”
“Good luck alone is not a governance strategy,” Oladejo added pointedly.
He warned that while some may romanticize Jonathan’s tenure, nostalgia is not a substitute for sound policy. “Emotion cannot drive economic reform, and sentimentality won’t solve power issues, insecurity, youth unemployment, or the crisis in education.”
Oladejo also questioned Jonathan’s recent political alignments, citing his absence from the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) rebuilding efforts and his occasional engagements with the APC as signals of unclear intent and divided loyalty.
“The future of Nigeria lies not in recycled leadership but in visionary governance rooted in integrity, innovation, and resilience,” he emphasized.
While affirming Jonathan’s status as a respected elder statesman, Oladejo stressed that “legacies are not manifestoes, and nostalgia is not governance.”
He concluded by urging Nigerians to reject emotional appeals and instead prioritize competence and accountability as the 2027 elections draw near.
“Let us not reach backwards in desperation but move forward with courage and clarity,” he said.
