Umar Yakasai, Director General of the Tinubu Support Group, has downplayed concerns that former President Goodluck Jonathan’s potential return to the presidential race could disrupt the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Yakasai said Nigerians remain aware of the challenges and controversies of Jonathan’s administration, and argued that his candidacy would not significantly influence the electorate.
“While Udenka had his own right to his perspective, it does not reflect the opinion of the majority of Nigerians,” Yakasai said. “We believe that President Goodluck Jonathan has been in government for six years, and we’ve seen all the policies of his government. Despite that, Nigerians rose up in 2015 to say they wanted change, and they brought in the APC.”
Yakasai cited the economic hardships, insecurity, and corruption scandals that marked Jonathan’s tenure, suggesting these memories remain vivid among voters.
“Nigerians would not have forgotten so quickly. I don’t think the candidature of former President Goodluck Jonathan will be anything to worry about as far as the APC is concerned,” he said.
On the economy, Yakasai defended President Bola Tinubu’s policies, acknowledging initial disruptions from subsidy removal and the currency float but stressing that stability had returned.
“Within the last two years, the president and his team have been able to stabilise the economy. Inflation, which spiked in 2023, has come back to 2023 levels in 2025. That shows the economy is working,” he said.
He also cited government support for the Dangote Refinery, adding, “If Dangote is not enjoying the support of the government, you will not have consistently a reduction in the pump price of petroleum. But we cannot allow one industry player to have total monopoly in this country.”
Yakasai further addressed political dynamics in northern Nigeria, arguing that voters in the region remain opposed to Jonathan.
“The North has not forgotten. Even when PDP was in power, the North consistently gave over 10 million votes to Buhari. If you place a candidate like former President Goodluck Jonathan, it’s easy for them to remember,” he said. He recalled logistical challenges and insecurity during Jonathan’s tenure, noting, “To travel from Abuja to Kaduna under Jonathan, you would spend almost 12 hours on a five-hour journey because of over 30 checkpoints. Nigerians were consistently embarrassed. Very bad strategy.”
He also highlighted lingering corruption controversies from Jonathan’s administration, including the $2.1 billion arms deal, saying, “You remember when he said only complimentary cards were given to civilians? Billions of dollars were removed. So all lessons are there. All I need to do is replay them for Nigerians to remember.”
While acknowledging ongoing security challenges under Tinubu, Yakasai insisted the current administration is addressing the crises more effectively than previous governments. “Yes, we’ve recorded some successes, but there are still farmlands that have not yet been accessible in Benue State,” he said, referring to bandit attacks. “When President Muhammadu Buhari came in, he consistently with his military chiefs said that the system of over-policing roads was not the right thing to do. Today, despite challenges, you no longer have the kind of humiliations Nigerians faced during Jonathan’s time.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Yakasai emphasized the APC’s strategy to counter opposition narratives by reminding voters of past governance issues. “All I need to do is bring a conversation from Rufai and play it on the news, and they will say, oh, that will be answers to anybody contemplating bringing Goodluck Jonathan into this contest,” he said. He expressed confidence that voters, particularly in the North, would not return to what he described as failed leadership, adding, “The North has consistently rejected PDP in the past, and nothing has changed. Memories are still fresh.”
