The political atmosphere is charged with anticipation. A smoky tension fills the air, and the metaphorical fire seems dangerously close. The chatter is loud and intensifying, now reaching a fever pitch: *Jonathan is Coming! Jonathan is Coming!* Predictably, the political “jury” has already taken its seats, with pundits, analysts, and self-proclaimed strategists dissecting what the possible re-emergence of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for a 2027 presidential race could mean.
Across the board, most commentators agree that Jonathan’s return to frontline politics would dramatically disrupt current power calculations within major political blocs — from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and even the revitalized African Democratic Congress (ADC). Many argue that a Jonathan candidacy would likely secure a sweeping victory, largely because the North might recall and reward him for his pro-poor and pro-people policies during his first term — initiatives that have largely been neglected over the past decade. His inclusive and humane leadership style, combined with the fact that he would constitutionally serve only one more term, further boosts this perception. While the South-South, his home base, would likely back him overwhelmingly, the South-East — his adopted political stronghold — would also offer strong support, particularly if Peter Obi is not in the race.
This three-part commentary is not intended as a direct rebuttal to every opinion piece already published about Jonathan’s possible comeback — some of which are insightful and objective, while others clearly come from hired pens intent on damaging his reputation. My focus here is to let Jonathan’s own words, as well as the reflections of others, speak for him: about his humanity, his dedication to peace and good governance, his liberal tolerance, and the far-reaching socio-economic progress he spearheaded between 2010 and 2015.
Using both his statements and those of notable observers to tell his story is like revisiting a chapter in Nigerian history when leaders such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Dr. M.I. Okpara shaped the nation with moral authority and intellectual depth. Like those leaders, Jonathan’s words can be read, quoted, and used to hold him accountable. Not all presidents in our history can claim even a single memorable statement to their name — but Jonathan can.
I now present to Nigerians and the wider world a collection of these quotes, paired with brief reflections — a style I will continue in the remaining parts of this series.
On Politics Without Bitterness
> “My political ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
> — President Goodluck Jonathan
This philosophy of peace has gained global recognition and now serves as a moral benchmark for assessing African leaders while in office.
On Jonathan as a Man of Peace
> “President Jonathan did the unthinkable in 2015 — he called the opposition candidate in an election whose results were yet to be announced. He could have stirred unrest for any reason, but chose peace.”
> — Simon Kolawole, Journalist & Public Intellectual
Kolawole’s observation is precise and needs no embellishment — it captures Jonathan’s character in a single act.
On Jonathan as a Transformational Leader
> “Dr. Jonathan lifted millions of youths out of poverty through initiatives like YouWin — judged by the World Bank as perhaps the most successful business growth competition globally. He also built more schools than any Nigerian leader in recent memory — 165 primary and secondary schools and 14 universities — boosting GDP by proving that the more you learn, the more you earn.”
> — John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana
Such a testimonial, coming from a respected African statesman, is a powerful affirmation of Jonathan’s legacy.
On Tolerance and Compassion in Leadership
> “I learnt from history and personal experience that if you use power as a sword instead of a shield, it will drain you and inflict hardship on those you serve. Many mistake aggression for strength. True power is strength under control.”
> — President Goodluck Jonathan
Indeed, leadership grounded in restraint and empathy remains a rare quality in politics — and one that Jonathan embodied.
On Being the Face of African Democracy
> “Goodluck Jonathan’s peaceful and democratic handover has made him the face of democracy in Africa. If other leaders followed the Jonathan Doctrine, the continent would be far more stable and developed.”
> — Joe Trippi, US Political Strategist & Author
Africa’s political instability is, in no small part, due to leaders who refuse to embrace such principles. The “Jonathan Doctrine” deserves to be a continental standard.
On the Moral Duty of Power
> “I have come to launch a campaign of ideas, not calumny; to preach love, not hate; to break free from the divisive habits of the past. I have no enemies — only friends with whom I share a common identity.”
> — President Goodluck Jonathan
Such visionary rhetoric was once common only in the independence era; Jonathan’s words rekindle that spirit of unity and moral leadership.
In closing this first part, it is worth noting that Jonathan has endured harsh labels from political opponents — “weak,” “incompetent,” “clueless.” Yet, a decade after leaving office, those critics have been discredited, and the true incompetence has since been exposed. Eleven years on from the Chibok girls’ tragedy, many of those still missing have been abandoned by the same voices that weaponized their plight against him. New tragedies — like the Dapchi abductions — have been added to the nation’s sorrow under subsequent governments. The “Unity Fountain” in Abuja, once the heart of the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, now stands locked and guarded.
I write this as a Northerner, a Muslim, an academic, and a public intellectual from Gombe State. Jonathan, a Christian from Bayelsa State of the Ijaw nation, earned my trust and respect as a transformative leader. If he chose to run again, I would not hesitate to endorse, campaign, and vote for him.
Adamu Musa Abdulkadir, Executive Director, Leadership and Governance Training Collective, Gombe State