A former Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation in the Jonathan Administration, Edem Duke, has warned against any move to draft former President Goodluck Jonathan back into active politics, describing the idea as a dangerous gamble capable of damaging the former leader’s respected statesman image and hard-earned legacy.

Speaking with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday in an interview, Duke said that Jonathan’s return to partisan politics now would expose the former president to unnecessary political risks and possible damage to his global reputation.

“I see him as one of the gatekeepers of the very best image of Nigeria. This is one personality whose name will open doors for Nigeria globally. Why do we want to confine him to the aspiration of another four years in office?

“And then, if he fails—they say “another one bites the dust”—what happens to what he has built in the last couple of decades? During those four years that he might be unable to achieve or realize his goals, where would these guys be who are foisting this puerile adventurism on the Nigerian polity?”,he questioned.

He argued that Jonathan’s value to Nigeria now extends beyond elective office, insisting that the former president remains one of the country’s strongest global ambassadors whose reputation and influence should be protected rather than subjected to another tense political contest.

“The news of the possibility of the distinguished President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan returning to active politics is one that I take with a lot of trepidation. This is an iconic personality whose tenure as president redefined some of the very best aspects of Nigeria.

“How then do you think that after having acquired the experience of being one of Nigeria’s most cerebral presidents—one who has achieved such a grand level of achievement across the continent—would now be dragged into what I see as a political lottery? This is being driven by people who should actually work harder to ensure that he can sustain and expand the perimeters of his influence as a statesman, not just in Nigeria or Africa, but globally,” he noted.

Duke further warned that those promoting Jonathan’s possible return are attempting to use the former president’s respected image for political gain, expressing confidence that Jonathan understands the risks involved and would prioritise his enduring legacy over another presidential ambition.

“I think it is unfortunate that people who have not yet been able to put their own house in order are now assuming that they can trade the integrity, overwhelming personality, and image of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as a pawn on the political dashboard. This is where I have my trepidations.

“I believe that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has his senses and his head firmly fixed. He understands that a number of these issues being raised around him do not mean well. I’m sure—I believe—I am not for now assigned to speak on his behalf, but I do know that what he stands to gain as a former president is far beyond risking another four years of aspiration,” he said.

Responding to comparisons with former US President Donald Trump and Ghana’s President John Mahama, Duke argued that Nigeria’s political realities are uniquely complex and should not be measured against foreign examples, insisting that Jonathan’s role as a respected statesman outweighs the risks of another presidential contest.

“We have always said that our politics should not be compared with the politics of the United States. I don’t think at this point in our nation’s history we should be benchmarking our own determining factors for the presidency against Ghanaian circumstances or situations. Nigeria is a very peculiar country. It is an unbelievably challenging country to lead. Therefore, a man who has played his part, and still has the ability as a statesman to contribute to the development of this country in various spheres—not to mention the continent—cannot afford to burn his bridge by deciding to go into a contest on the platform of a party where we do not know where it stands,” he insisted.

The former minister maintained that no political platform in the country currently matches Jonathan’s stature and accomplishments, cautioning that another presidential bid could expose the former leader to political betrayal, intense scrutiny, and unrealistic public expectations that may ultimately damage his legacy.

“For me, there is no platform right now that is big enough to accommodate the accomplishments of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. I see him as offering a lot more in the years and decades that are coming than a constricted four years where he would win an election, serve, and come under the kind of scrutiny, treachery, and circumstances that we see in our polity today,” he warned.

Duke further argued that Jonathan’s value would be better utilised in an advisory capacity, insisting that he remains capable of offering guidance to any sitting government regardless of party affiliation.

“Wherever he finds himself, I’m sure that he has the capacity to offer advisory roles and constructive support to whoever is leading this country.”

On whether the former president can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a potential contest, Duke stressed Jonathan’s experience would be better channelled into national service rather than a demanding nationwide campaign, arguing that there is limited value in subjecting him to a prolonged electoral process that could ultimately undermine his broader contribution to Nigeria and Africa.

“I’d like to say with all due respect—that the experience of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would be valuable to this country through the eyes and the efforts of whoever emerges in the next presidential elections.

“Time is too short for you to offer Goodluck Ebele Jonathan a platform to go and campaign in 36 states of Nigeria, going from crooks and crannies and creeks in order to seek for support and votes. There’s no time for that.

“If we are alluring him into that kind of treacherous terrain, at the end of the day, we’ll have another program a couple of years from now where we will say, ‘Had we known, we probably would have provided a more reasonable platform of contribution, a more elevated pedestal for this distinguished gentleman to offer service to Nigeria, to offer service to Africa, and indeed, the global community.'” (Arise News)

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