Human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has dismissed calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to return in 2027, insisting that Nigeria’s problems go beyond individual leaders.

Farotimi spoke in an interview with Channels Television, noting that a change of personnel without addressing structural issues in the country would not deliver meaningful progress.

“A thousand Goodluck Ebele Jonathans cannot solve the problems of Nigeria. If we do not address our structural problems and tell ourselves the truth, nothing is going to change. They can recycle all these people as many times as they can,” he said.

He recalled that Jonathan was once heavily criticised and voted out in 2015, but ten years later, political actors are attempting to rebrand him as a “saviour.”

Farotimi argued that Nigeria’s political class has consistently failed to act in the interest of the people. “They want to bring Goodluck Jonathan because it is the safe option for them. It is not about what is in it for the people,” he noted.

He stressed that true change should focus on strengthening systems and institutions, rather than depending on recycled politicians. “If we’re talking about change in 2027, what does it mean in education? What does it mean for security, agriculture, telecoms, or the structure of the country?” he asked.

The activist maintained that Nigerians should demand systemic reforms instead of looking to past leaders for salvation.