Details Of Peter Obi’s Meeting With Goodluck Jonathan Emerge

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. 

“You know the bulk of the votes Obi secured in 2023 came from the South, particularly the South East and South South, and also the traditional Middlebelt, which had also been Jonathan’s stronghold in 2011. They realised they cannot afford to approach the next election independently.

“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.”