Posted by Samuel on Wed 10th Sep, 2025 - tori.ng
Lokpobiri noted that while the group is proud of Jonathan’s global reputation, he doubted the Ijaw native’s chances in the 2027 election.
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has warned former president Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of those pushing him to contest the 2027 presidency.
Speaking during an interview with Punch, the IYC president, Jonathan Lokpobiri, expressed doubt that the former president would run for the coveted office in 2027.
Lokpobiri noted that while the group is proud of Jonathan’s global reputation, he doubted the Ijaw native’s chances in the 2027 election.
He stated, “Well, that is simply more of a personal lifetime decision of an individual. If he chooses to run, our primary aim is to stand with our own. We are likely to support him but the question is what chances does he have?
“And the politics of Nigeria, especially the biased politics of Northern Nigeria which swept the carpet under him even when he was President and Commander-in-Chief? With another Southern Presidency, if he chose to run, I would rather feel that they would have deceived him into this thing.
“At this moment, we are a lot more concerned about his reputation and his profile globally rather than the opportunity to serve. You know his wife is dissenting about this call for his return to power.”
Sounding philosophical, the youth leader noted, “If it is his destiny, we cannot be a clog in that wheel of progress but I strongly will advise against him running.
‘’This is essential because at this moment we have a Southern Presidency and every attempt is to unite around a Southern Presidential effort. So, I do not think that he will run.
“He is somebody who has the requisite experience enough to decide whether or not he should take such a bold decision. But if he chooses to run, we can’t be against him. We’ll stand with him, but I do not think he will run.”