Outcry as Open Letter Urges Jonathan to Stay Retired
TEC News
A strongly worded open letter addressed to former President Goodluck Jonathan has stirred heated conversations across social media platforms, raising fresh concerns about the role of political elites in Nigeria’s shifting political landscape ahead of 2027.
Titled “STOP, JONATHAN, STOP,” the viral post, authored by one Samuel Anayo and widely circulated under the series “The Musings of the D King’s Kid,” accuses the former president of repeatedly aligning with forces responsible for undermining Nigeria’s democratic aspirations.
The letter recalls Jonathan’s early congratulatory message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the controversial 2023 presidential election — a gesture the author described as a betrayal of Nigerian youths who felt “robbed of their voice” amid allegations of rigging, voter suppression, and digital manipulation.
“You chose to smile for the cameras and legitimize the heist,” the post reads, referencing Jonathan’s public endorsement of the election outcome, which many opposition voices and international observers flagged as deeply flawed.
Going further, the writer revisits the 2015 general election when Jonathan famously conceded defeat to then-General Muhammadu Buhari even before the collation of results was concluded. While the move was widely hailed as statesmanlike, Anayo frames it as an act of premature surrender — one that disappointed loyalists still holding the line.
The post also levels criticism at Jonathan’s tenure, describing his presidency as marked by fear, weak leadership, and co-option by political opportunists. It referenced stalled reforms, public mockery, and failed initiatives — particularly highlighting the underutilized Almajiri education program.
But the letter’s most striking claim is its warning that Jonathan is being strategically positioned by political elites not to lead but to divide the South and weaken the growing popularity of Labour Party’s Peter Obi ahead of 2027.
“You are being courted not because they believe in your vision, but because they know you are their safest bet to stop Peter Obi,” Anayo asserted, warning the former president against falling into what he called a “trap.”
The writer suggests that Jonathan’s potential candidacy is part of a larger strategy to split southern votes and facilitate an easy victory for a Northern candidate in the next election.
“You must resist the urge to dance back into that ring. You will not win,” the post concludes, urging Dr. Jonathan to preserve his legacy as a peaceful statesman and avoid being used as a “strategic divider.”
As of press time, neither Dr. Jonathan nor his media aides have publicly responded to the open letter.
The post has continued to generate debate online, with many Nigerians expressing mixed feelings — some defending Jonathan’s legacy and humility, while others echo Anayo’s fears of elite manipulation and the urgent need for courageous, visionary leadership.
TEC News will continue to monitor developments as reactions pour in from the political space.
Advert
