The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday. The meeting, which took place behind closed doors, was described by Obi as fruitful, focusing on the current state of Nigeria.
Obi shared details of the meeting on his X account, stating, “Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan @GEJonathan. We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation.”
This meeting comes amid speculation that Jonathan is considering a run for the presidency in 2027. Reports indicate that Jonathan’s supporters have begun reaching out to opposition figures, including Obi, to form a coalition capable of challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
With the APC backing Tinubu for re-election and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning its presidential ticket to the South, the 2027 election is shaping up to be a contest primarily among Southern candidates. Insiders from the PDP have revealed that there is increasing pressure on Jonathan to enter the race.
Prior to Jonathan’s renewed interest, several PDP leaders had attempted to persuade Obi to return to the party after his defection to the Labour Party, where he became the presidential flagbearer. Obi, a vocal critic of the Tinubu administration, is also supporting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, which includes prominent figures such as former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Senate President David Mark.
When questioned about rejoining the PDP or aligning with the ADC, Obi reiterated his commitment to any efforts that would help save the country from the APC. Other Southern politicians, including Amaechi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, are also reportedly positioning themselves for a challenge against Tinubu.
Sources have indicated that Jonathan’s camp is making exploratory contacts with key aspirants, including Obi, encouraging him to support the former president’s potential candidacy.
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