North-East Group Apologises to Jonathan, Urges 2027 Presidential Bid

A coalition of political and civic groups in Nigeria’s North-East has tendered a public apology to former President Goodluck Jonathan, admitting that many citizens in the region were misled by political propaganda during the 2015 election cycle.

Speaking at a press conference in Maiduguri, the National Chairman of the Bring Back Our Goodluck movement and leader of the North East Concerned Group, Dr. Grema Kyari, said the narrative linking Jonathan to the sponsorship of Boko Haram insurgents was false and damaging.

“I, like millions of others, was misled by political actors who peddled lies against Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. Today, we know those allegations were baseless,” Kyari said.
Kyari praised Jonathan’s democratic conduct, citing his peaceful concession of defeat in 2015 and his refusal to legalise same-sex marriage despite foreign pressure. He also criticised what he called a “foreign-backed regime change” in 2015, alleging that external powers worked with local politicians to unseat the former president.

The group urged Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing him as a “leader of integrity, compassion and vision” capable of addressing Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.
As part of its mobilisation plan, the coalition announced a nationwide sensitisation tour and a “one-million-man march” to Jonathan’s Bayelsa home to formally appeal for his candidacy.

Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, has not responded to the call and has not declared any interest in returning to office.