Political Movement Urges Ex-Vice President Peter Obi to Withdraw from 2027 Presidential Race, Support by Jonathan's Supporters

The political landscape of Nigeria is gearing up for an intriguing 2027 presidential election, with a growing likelihood of an all-Southern affair.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the main opposition party, has zoned its presidential ticket to the South, following the All Progressives Congress' (APC) endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for re-election. Goodluck Jonathan, a former PDP president, has not yet publicly declared his intentions to run for the top office again, but there are signs that he might be considering a comeback.

Top PDP leaders, particularly from the North, are reportedly putting pressure on Jonathan to run for president in the 2027 election. Supporters of the former president are reaching out to opposition figures, including Peter Obi of the Labour Party, to form a grand coalition for the election. However, there are no specific reports about politicians who have made contact with the former Goodluck Jonathan administration to form such a coalition against the APC and President Tinubu.

Peter Obi, a fiercest critic of the Tinubu administration, has stated his commitment to any move that will save Nigeria. He has been backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, which includes several prominent figures like Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, and Nasir El-Rufai.

Rumours swirled last night that Jonathan had already met Obi privately, but aides close to the former Anambra governor dismissed the claim. Sources did confirm, though, that Jonathan's camp had begun exploratory contacts with key aspirants, including Obi, urging him to step aside in support of the former president. One source insisted that while Jonathan's people want Obi to step down for him, Jonathan himself is yet to meet Obi.

Before Jonathan's name resurfaced, several PDP bigwigs had courted Obi to return to the PDP after his 2022 defection to the Labour Party. The source also assured that Obi is committed to his cause of rescuing Nigeria.

Other Southern politicians, including Amaechi and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are reportedly eyeing a face-off with Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. The political landscape is shaping up to be an exciting battle between seasoned politicians and new contenders, all vying for the opportunity to steer the nation's future.

As the election draws near, the race is on for the PDP to secure a strong candidate who can challenge the incumbent President Tinubu and the APC. The stakes are high, and the political chessboard is set for an all-Southern showdown.