Former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has dismissed suggestions that former President Goodluck Jonathan could return to active partisan politics ahead of the 2027 general election, describing such speculations as misguided.
Duke made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise Television, where he argued that Jonathan’s status as a statesman should not be subjected to political calculations.
He expressed concern over reports linking the former president to a possible return to frontline politics, alleging that some individuals were seeking to exploit Jonathan’s reputation and integrity for political purposes.
According to Duke, Jonathan’s tenure remains one of the defining periods in Nigeria’s democratic journey, while his influence now extends beyond electoral politics to the broader African and global stage.
“The news of the possibility of the distinguished President Goodluck Jonathan returning to active politics is one that I take with a lot of trepidation because this is an iconic personality whose tenure as president redefined some of the very best aspects of Nigeria,” Duke said.
He maintained that Jonathan has attained a level of statesmanship that should be preserved and strengthened rather than subjected to another presidential contest.
“How then do you think that after having acquired the experience of being one of Nigeria’s most cerebral presidents, one who has achieved such a grand level of accomplishment across the continent, would now be dragged into what I see as a political lottery by people who should actually work harder to ensure that he can sustain and expand the perimeters of his influence as a statesman, not just in Nigeria or Africa, but globally?” he asked.
The former minister further criticised those promoting the idea of Jonathan’s return, saying they were attempting to use the former president as a political tool.
“I think it is unfortunate that people who have not yet been able to put their house in order are now assuming that they can trade the integrity and the overwhelming personality and image of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as perhaps a pawn on the political dashboard,” Duke stated.
He expressed confidence that Jonathan fully understands the implications of the political discussions surrounding his name and would not jeopardise the legacy he has built over the years.
“I believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has his senses and his head firmly fixed, and he understands a number of these issues that are being raised around him,” he said.
Duke added that the former president has more to gain from his current role as a respected statesman than from pursuing another presidential ambition.
“I do know that what he stands to gain as a former president is far beyond risking another four years of aspiration,” he added.
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