Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has dismissed suggestions that former President Goodluck Jonathan could be drawn into active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general election, describing such moves as misguided.
Speaking on Prime Time on Arise Television on Wednesday, Duke said Jonathan’s tenure as president remains one of the defining periods in Nigeria’s democratic history and argued that the former leader’s stature as a statesman should not be subjected to political calculations.
He expressed concern over reports linking Jonathan to a possible return to frontline politics, saying individuals promoting the idea were attempting to use the former president’s reputation and integrity for political purposes.
According to Duke, Jonathan has built a strong legacy both within Nigeria and across Africa, adding that his influence as a statesman extends beyond electoral politics.
The former minister stated that Jonathan understands the implications of the political discussions surrounding his name and is unlikely to risk his standing by pursuing another presidential ambition.
He 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 very best aspects 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 people who have not yet 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 stands to gain as a former president is far beyond risking another four years of aspiration.”
