In Nigeria’s turbulent political history, few former leaders have enjoyed the kind of moral prestige and continental respect that followed the exit of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan from office in 2015.
More than a decade after conceding defeat in a fiercely contested presidential election, Jonathan continues to occupy a unique place in Africa’s democratic story — not merely as a former president, but as a statesman whose decision to place peace above power reshaped political discourse across the continent.
It was against this backdrop that the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Henry Chukwudum Ndukuba, delivered a striking appeal that echoed beyond the walls of the Diocese of Abuja Synod hall.
His message was simple, yet deeply symbolic:
Jonathan should resist any temptation to return to the presidential contest in 2027.
Addressing clerics, political leaders and worshippers during the first session of the 13th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, the Anglican Primate warned that a return to partisan politics could diminish the legacy Jonathan has painstakingly built since leaving office.
For Ndukuba, Jonathan has already attained something many politicians spend a lifetime chasing — a respected place in history.
“We don’t want you to spoil that good name and please, keep off for now, let them just play it,” the Primate declared.
“Be the senior citizen that you should be. We thank God for your life, not only for Nigeria but for the West Africa region, ECOWAS and Africa. You are a symbol that should stand, you are a hope for our generation that it is possible for us to be civil, to lead with integrity and possible for us to pass on a worthy legacy to those coming after us.”
The remarks come at a time when political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election are already gathering momentum, with renewed speculations in some quarters about whether Jonathan could be persuaded to return to the presidential arena.
Yet, the former president himself avoided any direct engagement with the political permutations swirling around his name.
Instead, his speech at the Synod took a broader and more reflective tone — one centred on national healing, moral revival and the troubling erosion of human values in contemporary society.
Jonathan painted a grim picture of a nation gradually becoming numb to violence, insecurity and tragedy.
“As someone who has spent many years in public life and politics, I must confess that moments like this provide an opportunity for sober reflection on the state of our society,” he said.
“When we look around today, particularly at the challenges confronting our country, it is easy to become discouraged. Violence, insecurity, moral decline, and the loss of human values have become deeply troubling realities.”
The former president lamented what he described as a dangerous normalization of killings and destruction across the country, warning that the collective conscience of the nation was steadily weakening.
“Today, people are killed, communities are destroyed, and life seems to continue as though nothing has happened. This ought not to be so. It is a reminder that society desperately needs moral direction, spiritual guidance, and a restoration of values,” Jonathan added.
Beyond insecurity, he also raised concerns over the growing influence of digital culture and modern technology in spreading harmful social values, noting that society increasingly celebrates wrongdoing while virtue struggles for recognition.
“The influence of modern technology and information systems, though beneficial in many ways, has also contributed to the spread of negative values where wrong is sometimes celebrated more than good,” he warned.
“This is not the future we should desire for our children and generations yet unborn.”
In many ways, the Synod became more than a church gathering. It evolved into a national conversation about leadership, morality and the enduring weight of public legacy.
Jonathan used the occasion to stress the importance of integrity-driven leadership, insisting that societies only progress when courageous men and women stand firmly for truth and justice.
“Leadership matters greatly in moments like this. Society progresses when men and women of integrity, courage, and vision stand in the right places and speak the truth,” he stated.
“We must continue to pray for our leaders, encourage one another, and work collectively for peace, justice, and national renewal.”
His comments also underscored the continuing relevance of religious institutions in shaping public morality and national consciousness.
According to him, the Church remains a critical force in defending righteousness and guiding society away from ethical collapse.
“That is why the role of the Church remains indispensable. The Church must continue to stand as the conscience of society, speaking truth, defending righteousness, and shaping lives through faith and godly examples,” he said.
The atmosphere at the Synod took on a more emotional tone when Emmanuel Egbunu led special prayers for Jonathan, using the former president as a point of contact in praying for Nigeria’s political leadership, peace and unity.
For many observers, the moment reflected a growing perception of Jonathan not simply as a politician, but as a moral symbol in a country where leadership crises have repeatedly tested national unity.
Whether or not the 2027 conversations persist, the appeal from the Anglican Primate highlights an enduring debate in Nigerian politics — when should a leader seek power again, and when should legacy take precedence over ambition?
For now, the answer offered at the Abuja Synod appears clear: some legacies are stronger when preserved than when tested anew.
Ben Ngwakwe writes from Gombe State.
