The Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, has issued a pointed public appeal to former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to step back from active political involvement and preserve the integrity of a legacy he described as a beacon of hope for Nigeria, West Africa and the African continent.
The Primate’s remarks came on Saturday at the opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, holding at St. James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, from May 14 to 17. Jonathan was among a constellation of eminent guests at the synod, which also drew former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon and former Primate Nicholas Okoh, among other church fathers.
Speaking in remarks that have since circulated widely on social media, Primate Ndukuba said he welcomed a recent court ruling that touched on Jonathan, framing it as a timely reminder to the former leader about the importance of protecting his hard-earned reputation.
“Your Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, I’m happy that they took you to court. I’m happy that the court said what they said. And we don’t want you to spoil that good name,” the Primate said pointedly, before making clear that his counsel was not merely for public consumption. “And please, if I see you in private I will still say this.”
His message to the former President was direct: disengage for now and allow the political process to run its course without his involvement.
“Please keep off for now. Let them just play it. Be the senior citizen that you should be,” he said.
The Primate’s remarks were nonetheless wrapped in deep affection and admiration for Jonathan, whom he credited with demonstrating that African leadership could be anchored in civility and integrity — a standard he said the continent could not afford to see diminished.
“You are a symbol that should stand. Let nobody touch you. We are a hope for our generation that it is possible for us to be civil. It is possible for us to lead with integrity. It is possible for us to pass on a worthy legacy to those coming after us. God bless you,” Ndukuba said.
The synod itself, themed “The Priesthood of All Believers: Equipping God’s People for the Work of Ministry” and drawn from 1 Peter 2:4–5, 9–10, was convened as a call on the whole people of God to rediscover their identity as a royal priesthood and take their place in the mission of the Church and the transformation of society.
The Primate’s intervention on Jonathan comes amid renewed speculation about the former President’s political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with various interest groups and political actors said to be courting him. Ndukuba’s appeal, delivered before an audience that included some of Nigeria’s most prominent elder statesmen, appeared designed to carry the full moral weight of the Church behind a call for Jonathan to resist such overtures and consolidate his standing as a statesman rather than re-enter the political fray.
