Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Bola Tinubu, has said that former president Goodluck Jonathan stands no chance against his principal if he decides to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Bwala, who spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, cautioned Jonathan against yielding to pressure from those urging him to return to the race. According to him, such calls are only aimed at ruining the former leader’s hard-earned reputation.

“I can see that certain people are trying to lure former President Jonathan back into politics just so they can damage the image he has carefully built since leaving office,” Bwala said. “After his time in government, he rose to become a respected international figure, and going back would put that at risk.”

While Jonathan has not publicly declared any political ambition, Bwala stressed that even if he chooses to run, he does not have the strength to defeat Tinubu. “If Jonathan eventually throws his hat into the ring, I can tell you with facts from the political climate today that there is no politician capable of dislodging President Bola Tinubu,” he added.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticized the Nigeria Police Force for arresting and detaining human rights activist Omoyele Sowore. Sowore had gone to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday to honour an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit over a petition.

He arrived with his lawyers and members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’, but was taken into custody and has remained there since. By Thursday, Sowore claimed that his arm had been broken while in detention, alleging that he was assaulted and sprayed with chemicals by officers.

Reacting on his X page, Atiku described the incident as a disgraceful misuse of power that must be condemned by all who stand for justice. He said Sowore’s only “crime” was speaking out against injustice, nepotism, and bad governance, yet he was attacked, injured, and humiliated under the watch of the police.

Reports suggest that former President Goodluck Jonathan may be preparing to enter the 2027 presidential race. There’s been growing speculation about a potential comeback, especially with signs that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is working behind the scenes to bring him back into the spotlight.

A close associate of the former president revealed that Jonathan has allegedly agreed to run, and talks have progressed significantly within the party. The source claimed that Jonathan is motivated by a desire to tackle the worsening poverty, economic hardship, and general suffering that has plagued Nigerians since the APC came into power in 2015.

It’s also reported that Jonathan has quietly consulted with key political figures, including leaders from the north and other influential players within and outside the PDP. One of those meetings reportedly took place last weekend in Minna, where he visited former military president General Ibrahim Babangida to discuss his interest in running for just one term.

Meanwhile, the PDP’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Abdullahi, noted that efforts are indeed being made to bring Jonathan back. He added that many Nigerians now regret voting him out and are calling on him to return and help steer the country out of its current struggles.