Author: kayode amuda

There are signs that former President Goodluck Jonathan and Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi could soon settle the ongoing discussions regarding a united opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Recall that the two leaders held a meeting behind closed doors on Thursday, according to details shared by Peter Obi on his X account.

In an interview with Daily Trust, sources familiar with the meeting said the engagement was a continuation of earlier conversations between Peter Obi and Jonathan on the permutations for 2027.

One of the sources stated that both men have acknowledged sharing the same political base, and a separate bid by each could hand President Bola Tinubu an easy victory.

The source also confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been wooing Jonathan, but he is wary of the internal crisis in the party.

The source said, “This is the third or fourth time they’ve met since around Easter, but all the previous meetings were kept under wraps. The crux has been who should step down for the other as the coalition’s presidential candidate.

“Another matter is the platform. Many PDP leaders have been appealing to Jonathan to fly the party’s flag, but he is wary of the internal crisis. He is waiting for assurances.”

Another source also stated that Peter Obi’s camp has raised concerns about being sidelined in the coalition they helped build.

He said, “The ADC has not been able to fully convince the Obidient Movement that the party was not structured to deliver an Atiku presidency.” 

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, held a private meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday.

Obi, who disclosed the visit in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, described Jonathan as his ”elder brother, a statesman, and leader,” adding that they had a fruitful meeting and discussed the state of the nation.

“Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan. We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation,” Obi wrote.

Although details of the meeting were not made public, the development comes amid ongoing conversations about Nigeria’s political direction and the state of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration

Jonathan, who led Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, has in recent years positioned himself as a mediator in national and continental issues, particularly in conflict resolution and democratic strengthening efforts across Africa.

Obi, on his part, has continued to engage stakeholders following his strong showing in the 2023 elections, where he came third behind Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The meeting is the latest in Obi’s series of consultations with key political figures as discussions around Nigeria’s future political realignments intensify.

Attempts to obtain clarification from Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr Yunusa Tanko, and leaders of the Obidient Movement were unsuccessful as calls and messages went unanswered.

Thursday’s meeting is the latest in Obi’s string of high-level engagements, signalling what observers believe could be the early stirrings of a new political coalition.

Speculations became rife of Jonathan’s possible return after the Peoples Democratic Party zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South.

There have also been reports that the PDP had been wooing Obi to return to the party, as he is seen as major force capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in 2027.