Former President Goodluck Jonathan met with Peter Obi, the Labour Party's 2023 presidential candidate, in Abuja. The comes as discussions intensify regarding a united opposition front for the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Both of these key southern politicians are currently viewed as potential rivals to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Obi continues his affiliation with the Labour Party, he has been engaging with a coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). On the other hand, Jonathan, who technically remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been less involved with the party since his re-election loss in 2015.
The specifics of Thursday’s meeting were kept under wraps. However, Obi, who previously served as the governor of Anambra State, shared on his official X account that they discussed pressing national issues and the overall state of the country. He posted: “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. – PO.”
According to sources who are familiar with their discussions, this meeting was part of ongoing talks about the political landscape for 2027. “This marks their third or fourth meeting since around Easter, with all prior meetings being kept secret. The main issue has been determining who would step aside as the coalition’s presidential candidate,” one source revealed.
Both leaders recognized that they share a similar political base, and if they were to run separately, it could pave an easy path for Tinubu. “Most of the votes Obi garnered in 2023 came from the South, especially from the South East and South South, as well as the traditional Middlebelt, which has historically been Jonathan’s stronghold since 2011. They understand that they cannot afford to tackle the next election alone,” the source added.
Another point of discussion was the political platform. Many within the PDP have been urging Jonathan to represent the party, yet he is cautious about the party's internal struggles and is seeking reassurances.
Additionally, Obi’s team has expressed worries about being marginalized within the coalition they helped establish. “The ADC hasn’t fully convinced the Obidient Movement that the party is structured to support an Atiku presidency,” the source mentioned. These concerns were also highlighted in their Thursday meeting, with indications from those close to Jonathan that a resolution might be on the horizon.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s leader from 2010 to 2015 and conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 election, has generally steered clear of active partisan politics since then. In 2023, a group attempted to secure him a presidential nomination form under the APC, which he declined. Now, the PDP is eager to bring him back into the fold, with senior members, including current and former governors, engaging in discreet negotiations.
The ADC is also considering him as a candidate. A former northern governor shared with Daily Trust that Jonathan’s ability to run for just one additional term under the constitution is a significant advantage in appealing to northern leaders.