Umar Sani, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as the ideal candidate to fix Nigeria’s struggling economy, claiming he possesses a “magic wand” to address the nation’s economic challenges. 

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Sani positioned Jonathan as the PDP’s strongest contender for the 2027 presidential election, citing his proven track record and constitutional eligibility for a single term as key advantages.

Sani’s remarks came as part of a broader critique of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whose recent promise to serve only one term if elected in 2027 sparked debate. 

Sani argued that Obi’s pledge is unrealistic due to potential pressure from supporters and the constitutional allowance for two terms. 

“Obi may be sincere, but his supporters won’t let him keep that promise. If he performs well, they’ll push for a second term,” Sani said, questioning Obi’s ability to resist such pressures. 

In contrast, he emphasized that Jonathan, having served one full term from 2011 to 2015, is constitutionally limited to a single additional term, making his candidacy a “resolved” and predictable choice for the PDP and the northern region.

“Jonathan has a ‘magic wand’ to correct the economy,” Sani asserted, pointing to Jonathan’s previous tenure, during which Nigeria’s economy was rebased in 2014, briefly making it Africa’s largest. 

He highlighted Jonathan’s experience in navigating economic reforms and his administration’s efforts to diversify the economy through agricultural and industrial initiatives. 

Sani argued that Jonathan’s return would stabilize the northern region’s political interests while addressing Nigeria’s current economic woes, including inflation, unemployment, and currency depreciation.

Sani’s comments also reflect strategic maneuvering within the PDP as it prepares for 2027. 

He suggested that Jonathan’s candidacy aligns with the party’s goal of presenting a unifying figure who can bridge regional divides, particularly in the north, where political sentiments remain sensitive. 

“The law has already taken care of Jonathan’s tenure. He can only do one term and go, which makes him the best option,” Sani reiterated.

The economic context fueling Sani’s remarks is dire, with Nigeria grappling with a weakened naira, rising fuel prices, and a struggling manufacturing sector. 

While the PDP is yet to officially announce its candidate, Sani’s bold claim has put Jonathan’s name back in the spotlight, raising questions about whether his experience can indeed work economic “magic” or if Nigeria needs a new approach to its persistent challenges.

  Umar Sani, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared former President Goodluck Jonathan as the ideal candidate to fix Nigeria’s struggling economy, claiming he possesses a “magic wand” to address the nation’s economic challenges. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Sani positioned Jonathan as the PDP’s strongest contender for the 2027 presidential election, citing his proven track record and constitutional eligibility for a single term as key advantages.Sani’s remarks came as part of a broader critique of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whose recent promise to serve only one term if elected in 2027 sparked debate. Sani argued that Obi’s pledge is unrealistic due to potential pressure from supporters and the constitutional allowance for two terms. “Obi may be sincere, but his supporters won’t let him keep that promise. If he performs well, they’ll push for a second term,” Sani said, questioning Obi’s ability to resist such pressures. In contrast, he emphasized that Jonathan, having served one full term from 2011 to 2015, is constitutionally limited to a single additional term, making his candidacy a “resolved” and predictable choice for the PDP and the northern region.“Jonathan has a ‘magic wand’ to correct the economy,” Sani asserted, pointing to Jonathan’s previous tenure, during which Nigeria’s economy was rebased in 2014, briefly making it Africa’s largest. He highlighted Jonathan’s experience in navigating economic reforms and his administration’s efforts to diversify the economy through agricultural and industrial initiatives. Sani argued that Jonathan’s return would stabilize the northern region’s political interests while addressing Nigeria’s current economic woes, including inflation, unemployment, and currency depreciation.Sani’s comments also reflect strategic maneuvering within the PDP as it prepares for 2027. He suggested that Jonathan’s candidacy aligns with the party’s goal of presenting a unifying figure who can bridge regional divides, particularly in the north, where political sentiments remain sensitive. “The law has already taken care of Jonathan’s tenure. He can only do one term and go, which makes him the best option,” Sani reiterated.The economic context fueling Sani’s remarks is dire, with Nigeria grappling with a weakened naira, rising fuel prices, and a struggling manufacturing sector. While the PDP is yet to officially announce its candidate, Sani’s bold claim has put Jonathan’s name back in the spotlight, raising questions about whether his experience can indeed work economic “magic” or if Nigeria needs a new approach to its persistent challenges.