Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has broken his long-held silence regarding growing calls for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, August 29, Omokri explained that his close relationship with Jonathan makes it difficult to comment publicly on such matters.

“I have an unconditional love for President Jonathan and so I will not criticise or give an opinion on anything he does on live television,” he said.

Personal ties shape Omokri’s stance

Describing the depth of his bond with the former president, Omokri, who served as Jonathan’s media aide, said:

“This is a man who came to California and spent ten days with me and my family," he said.

Calls for Jonathan to contest the 2027 election grow

Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015 following the death of President Musa Yar’Adua, has faced renewed calls to re-enter the political arena.

Despite leaving office after losing the 2015 election to Muhammadu Buhari, interest in his potential candidacy for 2027 continues to grow.

Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly been wooing Jonathan to contest under the party’s platform, Channels Television reported.

On Thursday, August 28, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said the party’s door remains open for the former president.

“But certainly, (former) President Jonathan is one of the candidates we are thinking of, if he joins us and opens his mind to run. And even other people like (former) Governor Obi, because if he decides to come to a better platform where there are no encumbrances, he will be given the opportunity too,” Mohammed said.

Jonathan yet to re-engage in partisan politics

Although Jonathan was a prominent figure in the PDP, he has largely stayed away from active partisan politics since his 2015 defeat, Vanguard reported.

He has, however, retained his membership of the party, keeping open the possibility of a future political move.