In a recent television appearance, former presidential aspirant Mathias Tsado, who represented the Action Democratic Party (ADP), articulated a sentiment he claims is growing among the Nigerian populace: a profound yearning for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Tsado posited that the nation’s escalating difficulties have triggered widespread nostalgia for Jonathan’s tenure, interpreting the public clamor for his comeback as a direct indictment of the current and immediate past administrations and a symptom of a deeply frustrated and suffering citizenry.

During his interview on Channels Television, Tsado employed a stark metaphor to describe the country’s political trajectory, suggesting that the transition from the Muhammadu Buhari government to the present one was akin to leaping “from frying pan to fire.” He vigorously defended the citizens rallying for Jonathan, asserting that their desire is entirely justified given the prevailing circumstances. Central to his argument was the characterization of Jonathan as a rare Nigerian leader who consciously elevated institutional integrity above personalistic, strongman politics. Tsado recalled that the former president was notable for maintaining a respectful distance from the judiciary and the legislature, thereby permitting these critical democratic structures to operate with a degree of independence seldom seen.

Citing a popular adage, Tsado noted, “Jonathan may have lost the election in 2015, but he gained the people,” and contended that this accrued goodwill is now the foundation of his popular appeal. While acknowledging that Jonathan has not declared any intention to run for office again, Tsado revealed his personal hope for such a development, stating, “I am praying for a day that he would declare.” He made an impassioned plea to those with influence, urging them to persuade the former president to answer what he framed as a national call to service, emphasizing the severity of the situation where “nothing is working.”

Furthermore, Tsado dismissed legal and political objections to Jonathan’s eligibility to run again, arguing that such concerns could be technically and constitutionally navigated should he choose to enter the race. He also rebuked critics, including former Senator Shehu Sani and some lawmakers, who have cautioned against a Jonathan return, accusing them of being profoundly out of touch with the brutal economic realities crushing ordinary families. He stressed that the debate is academic for the millions of Nigerians who cannot secure their next meal, concluding that while Nigeria’s core issue remains institutional weakness, Jonathan’s perceived respect for governance norms makes him a compelling figure for those feeling failed by subsequent leaders.