The Goodluck Jonathan Foundation 2025 Democracy Dialogue is currently underway in Ghana. The dialogue with the theme, ‘Why Democracies Die’, is being hosted in collaboration with the Government of Ghana.
Jonathan, a former President of Nigeria, is being listed among those warming up to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. Although he has neither confirmed nor denied this, his body language shows he may be looking forward to return to the number one seat, just like President John Mahama of Ghana, whom he shares certain things in common.
Incidentally, Mahama is among the dignitaries expected to attend the Democracy Day lecture.
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Below are some of the similarities between Jonathan and Mahama.
BORN IN NOVEMBER
While Jonathan was born on November 20, 1957, Mahama was born on November 29, 1958, leaving a year difference.
SIMULTANEOUSLY SERVED AS VPs
On May 29, 2007, Jonathan was sworn in as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Ghana. He was elected on a joint ticket with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. Less than two years later, Mahama was inaugurated as Vice-President of Ghana. He was elected on a joint ticket with the late President John Ata Mills.
PRESIDENTS DIE, VPs SWORN IN
On May 5, 2010, President Yar’Adua died in office and Jonathan was sworn in as president in line with the Constitution. On July 24, 2012, Mahama was elevated to the presidency following the death of Mills
Mills won the December 2008 presidential election, and he and Mahama were inaugurated on January 7, 2009.
WINNING ELECTION
In 2011, Jonathan contested the presidency and was elected, serving a full term of four years in office. Similarly, Mahama contested the December 7, 2012 election, in which he competed against seven other candidates but was declared winner. He also served out his four-year tenure.
LOOSING REELECTION
In 2015, Jonathan became the first sitting president to lose election to an opposition party in Nigeria. Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari was declared winner of the election. Like Jonathan, Mahama also lost election as sitting President. Nana Akufo-Addo of the of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) carried the day.
Last year, Mahama returned as president of Ghana, succeeding the man who unseated him 8 years earlier. Since their political journey has been similar in many respects, is there a chance that Jonathan would stage a comeback?