Raphael Kanu
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has dismissed reports claiming he has opted out of the 2027 presidential race.
The denial came after a publication alleged that Jonathan had withdrawn from the contest to avoid disrupting Southern unity.
In a swift rebuttal on Friday, Jonathan’s cousin, Azibaola Robert, described the report as “fake news,” stressing that the former president never said he would not contest.
Robert, in a post on his verified Facebook page, clarified that Jonathan has neither declared for 2027 nor ruled himself out, insisting that the story was concocted and should be disregarded.
“The former president has made it clear that he would not yield to calls not to run, since those making such admonitions had selfish motives,” Robert stated.
He further discredited the alleged “aide of Jonathan” cited in the report, noting that no such person exists in the former president’s camp.
Although Jonathan is yet to make a formal declaration, his cousin hinted that consultations are ongoing across the country, a strong sign that he remains interested in a possible comeback.
The controversial report had been published by Newsweek Nigeria under the headline: “Jonathan Rejects Pressure to Contest in 2027, Says He Won’t Be Used Against Southern Unity.”