'When Societies Are In Difficulty, They Look For Tested Hands'

‘When Societies Are In Difficulty, They Look For Tested Hands’ – Lawmaker Begs Jonathan To Run
Lawmaker said experienced leaders are needed during difficult periods.
Etanabene dismissed claims a political comeback would hurt Jonathan’s image.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Delta State, Benedict Etanabene, has dismissed suggestions that a return to active politics by former President Goodluck Jonathan could tarnish his reputation, urging him to consider contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Etanabene, who represents Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, made the appeal while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that his remarks come amid growing speculation about Jonathan’s possible political future, despite repeated denials from the former president’s camp. Recently, Jonathan’s former aide, Jude Imagwe, rejected reports claiming that the ex-president was preparing to seek the presidency in 2027 under the Peoples Democratic Party.

However, Etanabene argued that exceptional national circumstances often require the return of experienced leaders capable of steering countries through difficult periods.

According to him, several established democracies have previously turned to former leaders during critical moments, citing the political comebacks of former United States President Donald Trump and Ghanaian President John Mahama as examples.

“In US, Trump was there before now. He left, they brought him back. They voted for him. The Ghanaian president was there before. He came back, they voted for him.

“What I know in life is that if we have a problem and we need somebody to fix it, we look for persons who have the capacity to do it; we don’t discourage them from coming,” he said.

The lawmaker also rejected arguments that Jonathan should remain solely in the role of an elder statesman and only be called upon in the event of a total national collapse.

“We do not need to wait for the country to snowball into an absolute catastrophe before calling on Jonathan.

“When societies are in deep difficulty, they look for their best tested hands,” he stated.

Etanabene further praised Jonathan’s tenure in office, noting that Nigeria maintained its position as Africa’s largest economy during his administration. He also said the country’s democratic institutions, including the judiciary and legislature, enjoyed significant independence under his leadership.

He described Jonathan’s famous declaration that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian as a leadership philosophy capable of helping to heal the nation’s political divisions.

“Leadership is sacrifice; former President Jonathan is comfortable and globally respected, but when your house is on fire, you do not sit back.

'When Societies Are In Difficulty, They Look For Tested Hands' - Lawmaker Begs Jonathan To Run — ‘When Societies Are In Difficulty, They Look For Tested Hands’ – Lawmaker Begs Jonathan To Run

“I am pleading with him to consider accepting the invitation of millions of Nigerians to run in 2027 to ensure we still have a country we can call our own,” Etanabene added.