2027 Election: Jonathan’s Camp, PDP Leaders Woo Peter Obi Amid Eligibility Debate

Supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan, alongside top figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have begun moves to persuade key aspirants, including Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, to rally behind Jonathan ahead of the 2027 elections.

With the All Progressives Congress (APC) already endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election and the PDP zoning its presidential ticket to the South, the coming election is shaping up to be a Southern contest.

For weeks, several PDP leaders, particularly from the North, have been pressuring Jonathan to enter the race. Simultaneously, efforts have been made to convince Obi—who left the PDP in 2022 to contest under the Labour Party—to return.

Obi, who has been vocal in criticizing the Tinubu administration, is among opposition leaders pushing for a coalition against the APC. He is also backing the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led alliance that includes former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, ex-Senate President David Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, and ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai.

When asked whether he would return to the PDP or join the ADC, Obi maintained that he supports any effort “to save the country from the APC.”

Jonathan’s camp reaching out

Sources revealed that Jonathan’s allies have begun consultations and approached Obi to step down for the former president. There was speculation of a personal meeting between Jonathan and Obi, but aides close to Obi dismissed this.

“It is true that Jonathan’s people want Obi to step down for him, but Jonathan himself is yet to meet Obi. I can assure you that Obi is committed to his cause of rescuing Nigeria,” the source said.

Jonathan’s supporters argue that he is the strongest Southern candidate to challenge Tinubu because, if elected, he could only serve one term, preserving the North-South power rotation principle. Tinubu, if re-elected, would also be eligible for just one more term.

Obi recently echoed a similar stance, promising to serve only four years if elected—though some observers noted that past politicians made similar promises but reneged. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, now in the ADC, has also pledged to serve a single term if elected.

The eligibility question

Critics, however, warn that Jonathan’s candidacy could trigger legal battles. A 2018 constitutional amendment signed into law by then-President Muhammadu Buhari bars anyone sworn in as president more than twice from contesting again.

Jonathan, sworn in first in 2010 after the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and again in 2011 after winning an election, lost his bid for re-election in 2015.

The debate over whether the amendment applies retroactively has split legal experts. While some argue Jonathan remains eligible since the amendment came after he left office, others maintain the constitution is explicit.

Opponents warn that fielding Jonathan could risk the PDP losing in court if his candidacy is challenged post-election. “If the court rules he is not eligible, both the PDP and politicians who stepped down for him would lose out entirely,” one source cautioned.