Vanessa 
The President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former President of the Buhari Youth Organisation (BYO), Jibril Mustapha, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election. He said Jonathan’s leadership is needed to rescue Nigerians from hunger and economic hardship.
Mustapha made this appeal in a statement issued on Sunday, April 27, in Lagos State.
He stressed that Jonathan should respond to growing calls for him to return. According to him, it is time for all stakeholders to rally behind a candidate who truly represents the interests of every Nigerian.
“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and step forward as a unifying candidate,” Mustapha stated. “He can lead Nigeria towards a brighter future.”
Furthermore, he pointed to the many challenges facing the country, such as economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry. Therefore, he said, Nigeria urgently needs a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity.
“Nigeria stands at a crossroads. We are grappling with issues that threaten our stability and progress,” Mustapha added. “We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of background.”
He praised Jonathan’s previous tenure, saying the former president demonstrated strong democratic values and prioritised the welfare of citizens. Mustapha insisted that Jonathan has both the vision and experience required to guide the country through these difficult times.
“His leadership style fosters inclusivity and economic growth, which is exactly what the nation needs now,” he said. “Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can restore Nigeria’s lost glory both internationally and at home.”
BYO, which Mustapha once led, is a youth organisation that supported former President Muhammadu Buhari. Jonathan lost his second-term bid to Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.
Notably, this is not the first time Jonathan has been urged to return. Ahead of the 2023 general election, he rejected a presidential nomination form bought without his consent by a supporters’ group. The APC nomination form reportedly cost N100 million.
Moreover, as calls for Jonathan’s return intensify, The ICIR recalls that a Federal High Court in Bayelsa ruled that he remains eligible to contest the presidency again.
