Political dynamics in the North are shifting away from President Bola Tinubu as campaign posters featuring former President Goodluck Jonathan emerge across strategic locations in Kano State ahead of the 2027 election.
The posters, boldly declaring, “Team New Nigeria 2027: The Goodluck Nigeria Needs—Dr. Goodluck Jonathan,” have taken over high-traffic areas such as the Gyadi-Gyadi/Zoo Road flyover, Kofar Nasarawa, and State Road.
Their appearance has reignited speculation about Jonathan’s return to the political arena.
While the former president’s spokesperson, Okechukwu Eze, has yet to comment on the development, this is not the first time Jonathan’s name has been linked to a potential presidential run. Ahead of the 2023 elections, his supporters controversially purchased nomination forms under the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move he publicly distanced himself from.
The current campaign is spearheaded by Team New Nigeria (TNN), a political movement advocating for transformative leadership. Modibbo Yakubu Farakwai, TNN’s leader, revealed that their efforts are rooted in widespread public dissatisfaction with the current administration. “Nigerians are hungry for change and yearning for new faces and ideas to reshape governance. The people demand a cultural and structural transformation at all levels of government,” Farakwai stated.
TNN has taken concrete steps to establish itself as a political force, including forming a harmonisation committee in Kano and pursuing registration as a political party with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The group boasts a mobilised base of over 26 million registered voters nationwide and has reportedly developed key party infrastructure, including a logo, flag, constitution, and manifesto.
This unfolding political movement comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu faces growing opposition from northern political circles. Observers believe that TNN’s activities and the prospect of a Jonathan candidacy could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, potentially challenging the dominance of the ruling APC.
For now, the silence from Jonathan’s camp leaves much to speculation, but the momentum building around TNN is a clear indication that the race for 2027 has already begun.
