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Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan to tread carefully as pressure mounts on him to stage a political comeback ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kukah issued the warning during his address at the Democracy Dialogue of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday.
The fiery cleric praised Jonathan’s historic decision to concede defeat in 2015, despite having the full weight of power and security institutions at his disposal to challenge the results.
Kukah described that moment as an extraordinary act of sacrifice that elevated Jonathan’s democratic credentials and positioned him as a rare statesman in Africa’s political history.
He stressed that Jonathan’s decision to place Nigeria’s peace above personal ambition remains one of the most honorable acts in Nigeria’s democratic journey.
However, the Bishop issued a solemn warning, urging Jonathan to be vigilant as calls for him to contest again in 2027 grow louder.
Quoting former Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma, Kukah remarked: “The voice of the devil is not so far from the voice of God. Listen very carefully to those who want to use you as an instrument for the elongation of their interests, and not your interests or the interests of Nigeria.”
Kukah advised Jonathan to reflect deeply, pray, and allow his conscience and the national interest to guide whatever decision he eventually makes.
He reminded the audience that Jonathan’s choice in 2015 was not only political but spiritual, likening it to a “divine call” that saved Nigeria from plunging into chaos.
The Bishop recalled Jonathan’s book, My Transition Hours, which documents the events leading to his concession on March 31, 2015, even before the final election results were announced.
He noted that Jonathan had at his disposal all instruments of state power, including the military, which could have been used to resist defeat, yet he chose peace.
According to Kukah, this singular act gave Nigerians hope, dignity, and an enduring example of what true democracy should embody.
Kukah further explained that his presence at the event was a personal honor to Jonathan, revealing that he excused himself from an ongoing Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria meeting in order to attend.
The respected cleric said Jonathan’s legacy is too significant to be diminished by political manipulations, warning that history may judge harshly if he allows himself to be misled.
Observers say Kukah’s statement comes amid mounting speculation that some political blocs are pushing for Jonathan’s return to power in 2027, possibly as a unifying candidate.
While Jonathan himself has remained largely silent on the issue, his movements and recent political engagements have fueled speculations about his intentions.
For many Nigerians, the question remains whether Jonathan will choose to heed Kukah’s caution and preserve his legacy, or bow to pressure for a return that could reshape the 2027 race.
