Fresh details have emerged on the rationale behind the closed-door meeting between former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Anambra State governor Peter Obi on Monday, as political consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify.
The clarification was provided by Obi’s former campaign spokesman and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, in an exclusive interview.
Mr Tanko said the visit formed part of a broader outreach to national leaders aimed at securing support for Mr Obi’s presidential ambition, which he argued reflects the preference of many Nigerian youths.
“It is a visit to our national leaders and at the same time to appeal to them to give support to the candidature of Peter Obi based on available facts that the Nigerian youths have made up their mind that he is the most preferred candidate,” he said.
The development comes amid growing speculation about a potential alliance between Mr Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso within the ADC coalition.
It also follows a recent opposition summit in Ibadan hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, which drew key figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In the Ibadan Declaration, participants resolved to form a united front, resist moves toward a one-party state, and work towards presenting a single consensus presidential candidate for 2027.
Mr Tanko added that the outreach also aims to address regional balance and national unity.
“And in order to unite this country… they want to fill in that particular gap of leadership from the southeastern part of this country so that they too can have a feel of belonging since after the Civil War.”
Strategic appeal to Jonathan
Mr Tanko described the engagement with Mr Jonathan as strategic, citing Mr Obi’s past role during his presidency and expressing confidence that the former leader’s backing could boost his chances.
“I think it’s a noble objective for us to seek the support of his former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, considering the fact that His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, played a very fundamental role during his tenure,” he said.
“The former President is a humble man. And we believe that with his support, it will propel the candidature of Obi to a greater height.”
He noted that similar consultations had been extended to northern leaders, including Ango Abdullahi.
“You’ve seen us do the same thing to our northern brothers, Prof Ango Abdullahi… so we felt it was important to also extend the same thing to His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan,” Mr Tanko added.
Push for consensus candidate
On whether the meeting was part of broader efforts to position Mr Obi as a consensus opposition candidate, Mr Tanko responded in the affirmative.
“Of course! You can never stop consultation even till the last minute… except the day you are sworn in as the President,” he said.
Obi speaks on meeting
Mr Obi’s media spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, confirmed that the meeting was part of ongoing consultations with former national leaders.
Quoting Mr Obi, he said, “We need to consult them, especially someone like him (Jonathan) who served the country very faithfully… In this declining situation, you consult him.”
Mr Obi also disclosed that he had previously met with former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida as part of nationwide consultations.
No endorsement yet
Mr Obi clarified that the meeting did not result in any endorsement from Mr Jonathan.
“We’re not talking about an endorsement yet. When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for endorsement,” he said.
He added that Mr Jonathan emphasised the importance of credible elections.
“He wished that we had a free, fair, credible election… There can’t be a one-party system,” Mr Obi stated.
ADC coalition signals
The meeting was earlier publicised by the mobilisation wing of the African Democratic Congress coalition, ADC Vanguard, which described it as “high-level.”
“Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi are having high-level discussions about presenting one presidential candidate for the opposition parties,” the group stated.
Mr Obi was accompanied by Igbo elders, ADC senators from the South-East, and other political associates.
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