Former Edo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has advised ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to stay away from the 2027 presidential race.

Afegbua, in an interview, said Jonathan’s legacy as a democrat who peacefully conceded defeat in 2015 has earned him global respect and recognition. According to him, returning to contest would damage that image and squander the goodwill he currently enjoys.

He stressed that those urging Jonathan to run are only doing so for selfish reasons. “Jonathan should not allow political opportunists to lure him back. Nigerians have moved on, and his time has passed,” Afegbua warned.

Afegbua also argued that Jonathan’s administration was marked by mismanagement and influence from other powerful figures, which ultimately led to his defeat in 2015. He insisted that President Bola Tinubu is already taking firm steps to stabilise the economy, making a Jonathan comeback unnecessary.

On party structures, he pointed out that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains divided, with many governors and lawmakers defecting. Other parties like ADC and Labour Party (LP), he said, are also struggling with internal crises. “What structure will Jonathan use? None of the parties is stable enough,” Afegbua stated.

Turning to the issue of activist Omoyele Sowore, Afegbua criticised his description of President Tinubu as a criminal, calling it irresponsible. He maintained that only a court has the power to make such declarations, urging Sowore to show more respect for constituted authority.

On Edo State politics, Afegbua confirmed that the State Assets Verification Committee, where he serves as a member, is still probing the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki. He assured Edo people that the findings would soon be made public and that accountability would prevail.