Stay out of 2027 race, preserve your legacy — Anglican Primate tells Goodluck Jonathan (Video)

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Henry Ndukuba, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan to reconsider any plans of returning to the political arena ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging him instead to preserve what he described as his “democratic legacy.”

Ndukuba gave the advice during the First Session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, organised under the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), where he addressed broader concerns about Nigeria’s political direction and leadership choices ahead of the next election cycle.

According to the cleric, Jonathan’s political legacy is already firmly established, particularly referencing his role in Nigeria’s democratic history and his widely noted decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election — a moment often cited as a turning point in Nigeria’s democratic consolidation.

Ndukuba argued that such a legacy should not be risked by a return to partisan politics, warning that re-entry into the highly competitive presidential race could alter public perception of his past achievements.

He said Jonathan should instead focus on maintaining his image as a statesman who contributed to strengthening democratic norms in Nigeria.

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Call for Stability Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Anglican Primate also used the occasion to urge political leaders across the country to prioritise national stability, democratic values, and peaceful political engagement as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections.

He stressed the need for leadership that would promote unity and avoid actions that could deepen political tensions or instability.

Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has in recent years remained a subject of political speculation, with repeated calls from different political groups urging him to return to contest future elections.

However, the latest remarks from a leading religious figure add to ongoing national debate over whether the former president should re-enter active politics or continue in his current role as an elder statesman involved in regional and international mediation efforts.

For now, Ndukuba’s message is clear: Jonathan’s legacy, he believes, is best preserved outside the contest of 2027 politics.