Human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi has dismissed suggestions of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s return to frontline politics, insisting that no leader can fix Nigeria without addressing its deep-rooted structural problems. Farotimi made this known during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, reacting to reports of Jonathan’s possible re-emergence ahead of the 2027 elections. According to Farotimi, leadership changes alone would not solve the country’s challenges.
Farotimi noted that Jonathan was once heavily criticized and removed amid promises of a better Nigeria, yet the same issues persist. “A thousand Goodluck Ebele Jonathans cannot solve the problems of Nigeria. They might as well go ahead to increase his brain powers by factors of a thousand for good measure. If we do not address our structural problems and tell ourselves the basic truths we owe to ourselves, nothing is going to change,” he stated. Farotimi emphasized that the nation’s problems transcend individuals, warning that removing current President Bola Tinubu without reforming the system would only perpetuate failure.
The activist stressed the need for institution-building rather than seeking a political “messiah.” “It’s about building enduring systems. How do you rebrand a failure of 2015 into a saint and saviour in 2025? Ten years have gone full cycle, and we’re back saying we were better off where we were,” Farotimi added. He argued that the focus should be on addressing the systemic issues that have hindered Nigeria’s progress, rather than relying on individual leaders .
Farotimi’s stance on leadership emphasizes the importance of systemic change over individual leadership. “If you removed Bola Ahmed Tinubu from office today, and you do not touch that evil system that has produced the kind of people who have ruined the country, all this talk about Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is just more distraction from the political ‘ruinning’ class,” he argued. This perspective highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
In conclusion, Dele Farotimi’s dismissal of Jonathan’s possible return to politics underscores the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing Nigeria’s problems. Rather than relying on individual leaders, Farotimi emphasizes the importance of institution-building and systemic change. This perspective offers a critical perspective on the country’s challenges and the need for sustainable solutions.
