On Sunday, April 27, 2025, Dr. Jibril Mustapha, President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former leader of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), issued a public appeal in Lagos for former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election. Mustapha’s call, reported by Voice of Nigeria, Daily Post, TheNewsGuru, and Punch, positions Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s escalating challenges, including 23.18% inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and banditry.
Mustapha stated, “As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians. We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.” He emphasized Nigeria’s critical juncture, noting, “We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress. We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.”
Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, is lauded by Mustapha for his commitment to democratic values and inclusive governance, particularly his 2015 concession to Muhammadu Buhari, which averted a national crisis. Mustapha argued that Jonathan’s experience and vision are vital for restoring Nigeria’s international standing and domestic stability, citing his leadership style as one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement. A 2022 Federal High Court ruling in Bayelsa confirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to run again, clarifying that his 2010 assumption of office after Umaru Yar’Adua’s death was not an elected term under Section 137 of the Constitution, per TheNewsGuru and Premium Times.
The appeal follows growing regional support for Jonathan, with X posts indicating momentum in the North since November 2024, including endorsements from northern elites and a retired general, per @NigeriaNewsdesk and @abati1990. The PDP has also urged Jonathan to run on its platform, as noted in December 2024 by @MobilePunch, though his wife, Patience Jonathan, dismissed such prospects in February 2025, per @omoluabi1sq. Mustapha’s shift from supporting Buhari, who defeated Jonathan in 2015, to backing Jonathan reflects a pragmatic realignment, with analysts like Naija247news suggesting it signals elite dissatisfaction with President Tinubu’s administration amid economic woes and defections to the APC.
However, Jonathan, now 67, has remained silent on his 2027 ambitions, focusing on international diplomacy, including ECOWAS mediation roles, per Vanguard. His 2015 loss was attributed to perceived failures in tackling Boko Haram and corruption, notably the $2 billion arms deal scandal involving Sambo Dasuki, per Wikipedia. Critics question his ability to address current crises, given Nigeria’s 33% unemployment rate and over 2 million IDPs from banditry, as reported by Sahara Reporters. Supporters, including @BolanleCole, argue Jonathan’s southern roots and national appeal make him Tinubu’s strongest challenger, potentially uniting Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Mustapha’s Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, previously aligned with Buhari’s BYO, frames Jonathan’s candidacy as a patriotic necessity, urging stakeholders to rally behind him. The call, amplified on X by @MobilePunch, coincides with Tinubu’s defense against one-party state allegations, highlighting Nigeria’s polarized political landscape as 2027 approaches. Whether Jonathan heeds this call remains uncertain, but Mustapha’s appeal underscores a desperate search for leadership to navigate Nigeria’s complex socio-economic and security challenges.
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