A pro-Buhari group, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, citing Nigeria’s need for a unifying leader amid economic and security challenges.
LAGOS – The Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation (NRMO) has appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to run in the 2027 presidential election, describing him as the leader needed to unite Nigeria amid growing insecurity and economic hardship.
In a Sunday statement, NRMO President Dr. Jibril Mustapha, a former leader of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), urged Jonathan to heed calls for his return:
“Nigeria is at a crossroads. We need a leader who embodies integrity and inclusivity. Jonathan’s past leadership demonstrated commitment to democratic values and citizen welfare.”
Mustapha cited Nigeria’s challenges—banditry, unemployment, and economic instability—as reasons for Jonathan’s comeback, adding:
“His style fosters unity and progress, crucial for restoring Nigeria’s global standing.”
Legal Hurdles Cleared?
A 2022 Federal High Court ruling in Bayelsa affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility, noting that his 2007–2010 tenure (as Vice President and acting President) did not count as a full term under constitutional limits. Justice Dashen ruled:
“Section 137 cannot retroactively bar him. No election occurred in 2010 when he assumed office after Yar’Adua’s death.”
Jonathan, who lost to Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, has not publicly declared interest in 2027. However, his recent diplomatic engagements and calls from groups like NRMO fuel speculation.
The BYO, a pro-Buhari youth movement, now backs Jonathan’s potential bid, signaling shifting political alliances ahead of the next election cycle.