Ahead of the 2027 general elections, opposition leader and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday led a high-powered delegation of Southeast leaders to the Abuja residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The closed-door meeting, which lasted about two hours at Jonathan’s Maitama home, comes amid intensified national consultations by Obi ahead of a projected run under the banner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The delegation featured prominent Southeast political figures, underscoring growing regional backing for Obi’s renewed bid.
Those in attendance included Dr. Okwesilize Nwodo, former Governor of Enugu State; Chief Achike Udenwa, former Governor of Imo State; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Managing Director of the NDDC; Senator Ben Obi; and Senator Victor Umeh.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Obi clarified that the visit was a strategic exchange of views rather than a formal request for endorsement.
“We’re not talking about an endorsement yet,” Obi stated. “When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for endorsement. For now, we are here to consult with him.”
Obi noted that in Nigeria’s current socio-economic climate, the counsel of former leaders who championed democratic values is essential.
“We need to consult them, especially someone like him [Jonathan] who served the country very faithfully, focused, and did what is expected in a democracy. In this declining situation, you consult him,” Obi added.
While the specific details of the private discussion remained guarded, Obi noted that the former President remains deeply concerned about the health of Nigeria’s democracy. He cited Jonathan’s firm stance against the emergence of a monolithic political landscape.
“He wished that we had a free, fair, credible election. There can’t be a one-party system. He cannot support such a thing. Nobody can claim to be more of a democrat in this country than Jonathan,” Obi remarked.
