By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Dele Farotimi, a prominent Nigerian lawyer, has sharply criticized efforts by some politicians to rebrand former President Goodluck Jonathan, who was voted out of office by Nigerians in 2015. Farotimi questioned the logic behind this push, warning that those expecting Jonathan to work miracles would be disappointed.
He pointed out that the decision to vote Jonathan out was grounded in clear reasons that Nigerians believed would help address the country’s issues. However, he noted that the situation has only deteriorated since then.
Farotimi argued that swapping President Bola Tinubu for Jonathan would not resolve Nigeria’s long-standing problems. He dismissed rumors about Jonathan making a comeback in the 2027 election, emphasizing that such a move would not be in the best interest of the nation.
Reflecting on the political climate of 2015, Farotimi questioned why Nigerians would consider re-electing the leader they once vilified and voted out. He recalled how, at the time, the media, religious institutions, and various groups vigorously campaigned for Jonathan’s removal, promising that it would resolve Nigeria’s challenges. Yet, as Farotimi pointed out, these same issues remain, with some now looking to the past for solutions.
Farotimi stressed that the core problems Nigeria faces are systemic and cannot be solved merely by replacing leaders. “The challenges facing Nigeria cannot be solved by a mere change of personnel,” he stated. “If the system remains unchanged, no one, whether Jonathan or anyone else, will fix anything.”
He further emphasized that the focus should be on creating effective systems rather than relying on individual leaders to serve as saviors. Farotimi raised doubts about how Jonathan could now be rebranded as a solution after being seen as a failure in 2015. “They want to bring him back because he’s considered a safe option,” he argued, pointing out that the same reasons that led to Jonathan’s removal still stand today.
Farotimi concluded by asking what Jonathan could possibly offer in 2025 that would be different from his previous tenure. Jonathan, who was defeated in 2015 by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former President Muhammadu Buhari, is now at the center of renewed speculation about a possible return to power.
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