Samuel Omang
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has revealed details of his meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Thursday.
Obi, who disclosed the development on his verified X handle, described Jonathan as his “elder brother, statesman, and leader,” stressing that their private discussion was “fruitful” and centered on pressing national issues.
“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,” Obi wrote.
The former Anambra State governor’s visit has stirred reactions across political circles, particularly as both men have been linked with possible presidential ambitions under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has in recent years maintained a neutral but influential role in national politics, often acting as a mediator in regional crises and democratic transitions across Africa. While he has not declared any intention to return to the presidency, speculations about a possible comeback have never completely waned.
Obi, on the other hand, has remained one of the most prominent opposition voices since the 2023 elections, where he came third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. His consistent advocacy for transparency, good governance, and youth-driven reforms has kept him in the spotlight, with many political observers considering him a key contender for 2027.
The meeting between the two leaders, therefore, has been interpreted by analysts as part of early realignments within the PDP and the wider opposition bloc, as parties and stakeholders quietly prepare strategies for the next presidential contest.
Already, political stakeholders such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and others have been mentioned as potential PDP flag bearers. The prospect of a Jonathan–Obi alliance, however, could significantly reshape the dynamics of the race.
Obi’s acknowledgement of Jonathan as an “elder brother” has also been seen as a gesture of respect, aimed at strengthening bridges within Nigeria’s fractured political space.
The development comes at a time when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties against engaging in premature campaigns, noting that some politicians have already begun underground mobilizations despite the electoral timetable.
As the 2027 elections draw nearer, Thursday’s meeting is likely to fuel more speculation about possible alliances, party strategies, and the role of elder statesmen like Jonathan in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future.