Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’,
Oshiomhole said only those who do not mean well for Jonathan would urge him to
re-enter the political arena.

The senator representing Edo north said the All Progressives
Congress (APC) will easily defeat Jonathan if he decided to contest.

“How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when
PDP was truly PDP,” Oshiomhole said.

“If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was
defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election.”

The former APC national chairman advised Jonathan to
preserve his image as a respected statesman, noting that his decision to
concede defeat in 2015 earned him global admiration.

“If I were able to advise him, I will say, sir, maintain
this status. You governed for eight years, you don’t have to govern for nine,”
he said.

Oshiomhole added that Jonathan had “managed to demonstrate
that out of power, you can be relevant and at peace”.

He also praised Jonathan’s famous concession speech,
describing it as one of the most honourable acts by a Nigerian leader.

“Looking at how he ascended to that office. If I were him, I
will spend the end of my life trying to find relevance, which he has already
found, and speaking because that conceding defeat — that memorable quote about
the blood of a Nigerian not being worth my ambition — he should just allow
those legacies to be,” Oshiomhole said.

The former labour leader also said Jonathan’s political base
in the south-south region has weakened since his exit from power.

“We will defeat him if he comes out very flatly because now
the south-south is no longer PDP. So where is he going to start from?” he
asked.

Jonathan, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
presidential candidate in 2015, lost to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

CALLS FOR JONATHAN’S RETURN

There have been speculations that Jonathan, who served as
Nigeria’s leader from 2010 to 2015, intends to contest the 2027 election. The
former president has been mum on his next political move.

The main opposition party has also been looking Jonathan’s
way ahead of the next general election.

Some chieftains of the PDP, including Bala Mohammed,
governor of Bauchi; and Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south; had
disclosed that the opposition party has been wooing Jonathan to vie for its
presidential ticket.

Jonathan is entitled to another term in office, having
served a single term of four years, after completing the tenure of Umaru
Yar’Adua, who died in office on May 5, 2010.

Recently, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to President Bola
Tinubu on information and strategy, said while Jonathan is welcome to the race,
Nigerians will not forget his “dismal record in office”.

The presidential spokesperson added that while Jonathan has
the right to contest, the former president may have to face questions about his
eligibility since he has been sworn in twice.