Jandor Review Why Jonathan Should Not Contest Against Tinubu

The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to ignore mounting calls for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, Jandor warned that Jonathan would be taking a major “political risk” if he attempted to challenge President Bola Tinubu, describing the incumbent as “a master in the game of politics.”

He dismissed the notion that Jonathan is the only candidate capable of matching Tinubu’s popularity and experience, arguing that Tinubu’s political resilience and track record stand in a different league.

“I don’t agree with those urging Jonathan to re-contest, claiming he is the only one who can face Tinubu,” Jandor said. “This same man (Tinubu) defeated Jonathan from the outside. How can they be compared?

“If you stumble into the presidency by accident, it’s not the same as someone who sacrificed everything to earn it. Such men cannot be measured on the same scale.”

Jandor further noted that Jonathan should listen to his wife, Patience Jonathan, who has reportedly advised him against another presidential run. He cautioned that Jonathan would likely face a “humiliating defeat” if he took on Tinubu in 2027.

“Combined with his personality, popularity, and experience, President Tinubu cannot be displaced by Jonathan or anyone else in 2027,” he declared.

The PDP stalwart also praised Tinubu for what he described as bold economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy. According to him, the move has significantly boosted allocations to states and local governments.

“We’re not saying everything is perfect, but at least the President had the courage to stop a system where our commonwealth was going into the pockets of a few in the name of fuel subsidy. Today, allocations have tripled,” Jandor said.

He credited Tinubu’s reforms with stabilising the foreign exchange market and curbing “dubious practices” that had created overnight billionaires.

“You can no longer become a billionaire overnight through corrupt forex practices. This man put an end to that,” he added.

However, Jandor challenged state and local governments to ensure that the increased revenues directly benefit citizens by cushioning the effects of economic reforms.

“If states and local governments properly manage the funds they now receive, it will ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians. At the macro level, the economy has clearly turned a corner, but it takes time before the benefits trickle down,” he explained.

He also urged the Nigerian Armed Forces to intensify their support for the President in addressing the country’s security challenges.

Reaffirming his own political ambition, Jandor stressed that his quest to become governor of Lagos State is about inclusive governance rather than personal ambition.

“It is about stewardship—building a Lagos where opportunity, innovation, and prosperity are available to all,” he said.