Obi holds closed-door meeting with Jonathan in Abuja

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, met with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday for a closed-door discussion in Abuja.

Obi confirmed the meeting in a post on X, saying it focused on Nigeria’s current situation.

“Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan,” he wrote.

“We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation.”

The meeting comes amid speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to the presidential race in 2027.

Key figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, have hinted that either Jonathan or Obi could be positioned to lead the party in the next election.

Abba Moro, senator representing Benue South, also said some political actors have been reaching out to both men over a potential return to the PDP.

He suggested Obi could secure the PDP ticket if he rejoined the party.

While Obi has already declared his intention to contest the 2027 elections under the LP and its coalition with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Jonathan has remained non-committal.

Last week, Jonathan recalled the challenges he faced during his failed re-election bid in 2015.

“Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals. I witnessed a lot of betrayal during the 2015 election,” he said.

“In politics, it is difficult to find anyone who maintains the same position in the morning, afternoon, and evening.”