Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has quashed rumours of a political alliance with former President Goodluck Jonathan aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, asserting that no such pact exists.
The denial came through Obi’s media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, during an exclusive interview. His statement addresses escalating speculation triggered by a recent private meeting between Obi, the former Anambra governor, and Jonathan in Abuja, which fueled talks of an opposition realignment.
Tanko clarified, “My principal and the former president share a strong working relationship and mutual respect. Their recent discussion, like their earlier meeting in Ghana where I was present, focused on advancing Nigeria’s progress. There’s no 2027 pact—nothing more than a platonic exchange.”
The clarification arrives as the opposition grapples with internal pressure to forge a united front against Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. The Abuja meeting, held on September 11, saw Obi describe Jonathan on his official X handle as his “elder brother, a statesman, and leader,” highlighting a “fruitful” dialogue on the nation’s state. Despite the vagueness, the encounter coincides with growing criticism of Tinubu’s administration and economic uncertainties.
Social media has erupted with debates, as supporters of both leaders argue over who should lead the opposition charge, viewing the situation as a litmus test for unity. Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 and has since emerged as an African statesman mediating political crises, met Obi amid his ongoing nationwide consultations—widely seen as early moves for the 2027 race.
Obi’s strong 2023 performance, which shook Nigeria’s traditional two-party dominance, continues to position him as a key player, though details of his strategy remain under wraps.
