Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, has clarified that former President Goodluck Jonathan has not endorsed his bid for the presidency in 2027.
Obi, in a recent interview, explained that while he met with Jonathan as part of his political consultations, the former President’s support was not an official endorsement at this time.
According to The Punch, Obi’s former campaign spokesman, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, provided insight into the closed-door meeting between Obi and Jonathan.
Tanko explained that the meeting was part of Obi’s wider outreach strategy to secure support from national leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tanko stated,
“The visit was to appeal to national leaders to support Obi’s candidacy. Nigerian youths have shown that he is their preferred candidate, and we want to fill the leadership gap from the southeastern part of the country.” He added that the meeting also addressed the need for greater representation for the southeast, especially in the post-Civil War era.
Reflecting on Obi’s contributions during Jonathan’s presidency, Tanko emphasized that Obi played a crucial role in Jonathan’s government. “We believe it’s time for Jonathan to lend his support to Obi’s candidacy,” Tanko said.
Obi’s media spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, echoed these points in a brief statement after the meeting. “We need to consult leaders like Jonathan, who served the country faithfully,” Umar quoted Obi as saying.
Despite the high-profile nature of the meeting, Obi clarified that it was purely a consultation and not an endorsement. “We are not talking about an endorsement yet,” Obi said. “When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for that.”
Obi further shared that Jonathan had wished the country well and emphasized the need for credible, free, and fair elections. “He stressed the importance of a fair election process and cannot support a one-party system,” Obi added.
The meeting with Jonathan is part of Obi’s broader political outreach, which includes consultations with other former Presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida. Obi’s team has been working to build a broad base of support across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 election.
This meeting follows discussions among opposition leaders, including a recent summit in Ibadan, Oyo State, where key political figures deliberated on strategies to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
There is also growing speculation about a potential alliance between Obi and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, two influential figures within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
