The convener of the coalition for Former President Goodluck Jonathan, and also the former Commissioner of Information, Kogi State, Dr. Tom Ohikere has advocated for national healing and unity, describing former President Goodluck Jonathan as the right leader to help stabilise and unite Nigeria amid current political and economic challenges.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Friday, following a campaign that held in Lagos recently, led by Dr. Ohikere, he called on the former president, Jonathan to run for president in the coming elections, claiming that Jonathan has what it takes to build trust and unite Nigeria.
“Nigerians are today in need of healing in this country. We are in need of stability and national inclusion. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan will be remembered as a leader who governed the country with restraint, humility, and respect for democratic values. At this time, when the country is deeply polarized, many people believe his return could help rebuild trust across religious and political divides. So, he’s the man of the moment right now,” he said.
Ohikere dismissed suggestions that supporters campaigning for the return of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2027 were too young to understand his administration, insisting that participants at the recent demonstration were carefully selected and all of voting age.
“I disagree with that. Most of them that were there yesterday, the least should be at the benchmark for voting rights—18 years. We took time in selecting them before they came out yesterday. We didn’t just invite people. We took time, we met community leaders around the FCT, we met political leaders. The least there is 18 years,” he stressed.
He also defended Jonathan’s age as a potential candidate, arguing that at 68, the former president remains younger than several other prominent political figures expected to contest future elections.
“I also want to disagree with you on the issue of his age. He’s among the youngest contestants now. He’s 68 years. We have men of 78 years contesting—people like His Excellency Atiku Abubakar and co. So Goodluck Jonathan is the best; he should be seen as one of the youngest in this race,” he noted.
Responding to comments made by former president Jonathan, Ohikere said Nigerians should not misunderstand Jonathan’s remark that contesting for the presidency is “not a computer game,” explaining that the former leader was only emphasising the seriousness and complexity of the process.
“Let me say that he must not be misunderstood by Nigerians. When he says it’s not a ‘computer game,’ what he was trying to say was that it’s not an easy thing for somebody to just come up and say they want to contest for the presidency. A lot is involved; it’s a huge process, a very comprehensive process. But all I want to say is that Goodluck Jonathan will be on the ballot,” he maintained.
Although Jonathan has yet to formally declare his intention to run, Ohikere expressed confidence that the former president would eventually join the race, saying an official pronouncement could come “in the next one or two days.”
“He never accepted, but in the fullness of time, shortly—give him the next one or two days—he will make his pronouncement” he assured.
Addressing concerns over the legal debate surrounding Jonathan’s eligibility, the convener of the coalition argued that the matter had already been settled by a High Court ruling in Yenagoa years ago, maintaining that the period for challenging the decision had long passed.
“The legal question surrounding his eligibility is a question that has been answered years ago. The High Court in Yenagoa treated that case, and the timing that was made open for a challenge is quite over, and the law doesn’t retrogress,” he underscored.
He questioned the timing of the renewed legal action, suggesting that the appeal was politically motivated and driven by interests opposed to Jonathan’s possible return to active politics.
“Why are they just appealing it now? That’s the question you need to ask. It is motivated from somewhere. As you know, we all know in this country who is motivating who now.”
When asked about the political platform Jonathan could use if he decides to contest, Ohikere insisted that the former president would reveal his plans at the appropriate time.
“He will surely make that known to the public. I know the political platform he’s contesting on. It is not yet meant for public consumption, so I wouldn’t talk about that,” he maintained.
On the Jonathan-era comparisons, Ohikere argued that Nigeria’s present challenges are the result of “accumulated errors of the past,” blaming successive administrations for the country’s current economic difficulties.
“We are today in this country suffering from a case of manifestation of accumulated errors of the past,” he said.
Adding, he said said former President Jonathan attempted to remove fuel subsidy during his tenure but reversed the decision due to public backlash, describing him as a “people-oriented leader” who responds to citizens’ concerns.
“He attempted to remove the subsidy, but he’s this person that has human feeling. He’s a people-oriented leader. The reaction from the public then made him change the policy.”
When asked whether the campaign was focused more on Jonathan as an individual than on broader political ideals, Ohikere suggested that the movement reflects both admiration for Jonathan’s leadership style and what he represents in Nigeria’s political history.
“It’s about what he symbolizes: his leadership qualities and virtues. He’s an embodiment of the need of Nigerians. Don’t forget this coalition is a multi-party membership. I am a member of the African Democratic Congress as I am sitting here, for example, and I’m strongly calling for Jonathan. So, we are all scrambling now—’come and contest under ADC,’ ‘contest under PDP,’ ‘contest under LP’—so we are together on that. This is a call for a genuine need of the people,” he stated.
Responding to claims of the campaign romanticising the past, Ohikere said Nigeria must evaluate past leadership, insisting former President Jonathan’s record fits current national challenges.
“You cannot treat the future without taking stock of yesterday, projecting into today. So, it is the past record of Jonathan that is the man. His antecedents and pedigree make Jonathan Goodluck,” he said.
He argued that Jonathan’s extensive experience across different levels of government—from deputy governor to president—makes him uniquely qualified, adding that Nigeria’s current situation requires a leader who is “tested” and capable of restructuring and transforming the country.
“We’re in a messy situation in Nigeria, as I said yesterday. We need a man like Jonathan to come and restructure, reshape, and transform Nigeria towards meeting the needs of Nigerians. We are not in a good situation now. We need a man that is already tested. Goodluck Jonathan, among all the aspirants, is the most experienced. He has the widest range,” he stressed.
On electoral value ahead of 2027, Ohikere projected that former President Jonathan remains a strong contender, saying he believes Jonathan has the capacity to “remove Jagaban from the Villa,” referring to President Bola Tinubu.
“In terms of votes, my projection… I think he is the man to beat. Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has the capacity to remove Jagaban out of the Villa,” he underscored.
Adding, he said: “Because he possesses all that is needed by the public.”
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