Peter Obi meets Jonathan in Abuja to discuss ‘state of the nation’

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja to discuss national issues.

Obi disclosed the meeting in a post on X on Thursday evening.

“Today in Abuja, I met with my very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan,” Obi wrote. “We had a fruitful closed-door meeting and discussed the state of our dear nation.”

The meeting comes amid rising speculation about Jonathan’s possible return to frontline politics ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Some senior figures within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have hinted that both Jonathan and Obi are being considered as potential candidates to lead the party in 2027. Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State, recently suggested the party may be open to either of the two.

Similarly, Abba Moro, senator representing Benue South, revealed that conversations are ongoing with both Jonathan and Obi over a possible return to the PDP. Moro argued that Obi could secure the PDP presidential ticket in 2027 if he decides to return.

Obi, a chieftain of the LP and part of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition, has already declared his intention to run in the next election. Jonathan, however, has kept silent on his political future.

Last week, the former president reflected on his 2015 re-election bid, saying he was let down by allies.

“Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals. I witnessed a lot of betrayal during the 2015 election,” Jonathan said. He added that it was rare in politics to find anyone who maintains the same position “in the morning, afternoon, and evening.”