Obidient Movement Begs Jonathan to Back Peter Obi After Abuja Meeting

Obidient Movement Begs Jonathan to Back Peter Obi After Abuja Meeting

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, held a private meeting on Thursday with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, sparking renewed speculation about strategic alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi, who previously served as governor of Anambra State, shared the development via his official X account, describing Jonathan as “a very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader.”

He noted that their closed-door meeting focused on discussions about the state of the nation.

Shortly after the meeting, the Obidient Movement, a grassroots coalition backing Obi, issued a public appeal to Jonathan, urging him to support Obi’s 2027 presidential bid rather than contest himself.

The group emphasized that Jonathan’s legacy as a respected statesman would be best preserved by backing Obi’s candidacy.

Although the specifics of the meeting remain undisclosed, political observers believe the conversation may have touched on the upcoming election.

This comes as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while retaining its national chairmanship in the North. The party also confirmed Umar Damagum as its substantive national chairman.

Obi, hailing from the South-east, has already declared his intention to run in 2027, promising to serve only one term if elected.

While some reports suggest that PDP may consider him for its ticket, Obi has also been active within a coalition of opposition leaders that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu.

Meanwhile, other potential contenders are emerging, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whose campaign posters have appeared in various parts of the country, despite his silence on the matter.

Speaking on behalf of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, the group’s National Coordinator, reiterated their support for Obi.

He acknowledged the longstanding friendship between Obi and Jonathan, stating that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to “rescue Nigeria.”

“Jonathan has served this country with distinction. Now is the time for him to support his brother. Obi represents the hope of millions seeking a new direction,” Tanko said.

While Jonathan has yet to make any formal declaration regarding the 2027 race, the political landscape continues to shift, with alliances and endorsements likely to play a decisive role in shaping the opposition’s strategy.

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