Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has denied the insinuation that former President, Goodluck Jonathan, could be pulled into active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general election, characterising such actions as unwise.
Duke, speaking on Prime Time on Arise Television on Wednesday, said Jonathan’s reign as president remains one of the defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic history and maintained that the former leader’s standing as a statesman should not be subjected to political calculations.
He said he was worried about speculations that Jonathan would return to frontline politics, adding that those who were pushing for the notion were trying to use the former president’s name and ethics for political ends.
Jonathan has created a great legacy in Nigeria and Africa, Duke said, noting that his influence as a statesman goes beyond electoral politics.
Jonathan knows the implication of the political talk around his name and he is not likely to gamble his political capital on another presidential ambition, the ex-minister said.
“The news of the possibility of the distinguished President Goodluck ability to return to active politics is one that I take with a lot of trepidation because this is an iconic personality whose tenor as a president redefined some of the best of Nigeria.
“How then do you think that after having acquired the experience of being one of Nigeria’s most cerebral presidents, one who has achieved such a grand level and achievement across the continent, would now be dragged into what I see as a political lottery by people who should actually work harder to ensure that he can sustain and expand the perimeters of his influence as a statesman, not just to Nigeria, Africa, but globally.
“I think it is unfortunate that those who have not been able to put their house in order are now assuming that they can trade the integrity and the overwhelming personality and image of a former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as perhaps a pawn on the political dashboard.
“This is where I have my trepidations, and I believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has his senses and his head firmly fixed, and he understands that a number of these issues that are being raised around him.
“I do know that what he has to gain as a former president is much greater than risking another four years of aspiration.”