A member of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, has said the possible return of former President Goodluck Jonathan to the presidential race ahead of the 2027 election could significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
Agbedi, who represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, stated that Jonathan’s entry into the contest would alter existing political calculations and intensify the battle for the presidency.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, the lawmaker expressed confidence that the former president would contest under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, Jonathan’s candidacy would create a major shift in the nation’s political atmosphere as opposition forces prepare to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
“It means so much, it will upset the entire political atmosphere,” Agbedi said while reacting to Jonathan’s anticipated participation in the race.
The Bayelsa-born politician argued that Jonathan is now more experienced and better equipped for leadership than during his previous administration.
He described the former president as a tested and trusted leader capable of stabilising the country amid worsening economic and political challenges.
“He is better prepared for the job.
“A serious country in a democracy will look for the best persons wherever they are to say, ‘please our country is in dire straits, we want a competent, capable, tested and trusted person to come and lead our country’.
”That is what a serious nation does, ” he said.
According to the lawmaker, many Nigerians believe the country requires experienced leadership following the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu.
Agbedi claimed that growing hardship and dissatisfaction under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government have strengthened calls for Jonathan’s return.
He maintained that several citizens now see the former president as a figure capable of restoring stability and rebuilding confidence in governance.
Jonathan’s anticipated return comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 election continue to gather momentum across the country.
Several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party figure Peter Obi, and activist Omoyele Sowore, are already positioning themselves to challenge President Tinubu.
Political observers believed Jonathan’s entry could significantly alter opposition alliances and voting dynamics, especially within the Peoples Democratic Party.
The former president, who governed Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, remains an influential political figure both within the PDP and across parts of the country.
Agbedi’s remarks followed a recent court judgment affirming Jonathan’s eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday dismissed a suit seeking to stop the former president from participating in the election.
The suit had been filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who argued that Jonathan was constitutionally barred from seeking another term in office.
However, the court ruled against the plaintiff and held that the case lacked merit.
Justice Lifu also imposed a N20 million fine on Jideobi in favour of Jonathan and awarded an additional N1 million against the plaintiff in favour of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
According to the judge, the plaintiff lacked the legal standing to institute the suit because he failed to show how Jonathan’s possible ambition directly affected him.
The court further noted that previous judgments delivered by both the Federal High Court in Yenagoa and the Court of Appeal had already affirmed Jonathan’s eligibility to contest.
Justice Lifu stated that he was bound by the decisions of the appellate court and subsequently described the suit as “an abuse of court process.”
With the legal challenge dismissed, attention is now shifting toward whether Jonathan will formally declare his ambition for the presidency.
Analysts believe his possible return could trigger major realignments within the opposition and increase political tension ahead of the 2027 general election.
For now, neither Jonathan nor the PDP leadership has officially announced his candidacy, but growing speculation continues to dominate political discussions nationwide.
