2027 Presidency: Jonathan Reportedly Holding Talks With ADC, "Positive Response"
- The Nigerian media has been awash with reports over the past week of a possible 2027 presidential bid by Goodluck Jonathan
- For now, however, Jonathan, president of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, is keeping his cards close to his chest
- As political permutations gather pace ahead of the 2027 election, the ADC is reportedly weighing the option of a Jonathan candidacy to challenge the APC
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.
FCT, Abuja - A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said the party had been holding discreet talks with former President Goodluck Jonathan over a possible presidential run in the 2027 election.
As reported by The Punch on Sunday, August 10, a principal member of the ADC disclosed that the party had been holding talks with Jonathan to join its platform.
Source: Twitter
2027 and likely Jonathan presidential push
Jonathan led Nigeria as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member from 2010 to 2015.
The ADC chieftain was quoted as saying:
“We are talking to him (Jonathan), and we are getting a positive response from him so far. I can assure you that he is not going to contest under the PDP; he knows the problem there. Does he want to wrestle with Nyesom Wike who has the grip on the party? The former president is a gentleman and a refined politician."
He added:
“The leaders of the coalition have met him about three times, and the ex-President appreciates their efforts to rescue the country from the current economic quagmire occasioned by President Bola Tinubu’s bad policies. He recalled how he left the country, and things have now gone worse.”
Asked if the former President would be given an automatic presidential ticket, the ADC chieftain said:
“When we get to the bridge, we will know how to cross it.”
Source: Twitter
Legit.ng reports that in July, the opposition coalition formally adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election as well as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
The opposition coalition includes prominent political heavyweights such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bukola Saraki, Rotimi Amaechi, Abubakar Malami, and others, a diverse lineup drawn from various political backgrounds and regions.
Jonathan's entry may clear coast for Tinubu
Meanwhile, Dr Sulaimon Adigun Muse, a senior lecturer in the department of political science education, Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), in an interview with Legit.ng, explained that President Tinubu will win if Jonathan contests in 2027.
Muse, the president of the Global Academy of Political Entrepreneurship and Leadership (GAPEL), said strong candidates running on different political platforms will be an advantage for Tinubu in the 2027 election.
He said:
"Bola Tinubu is in Aso Rock today by split opposition votes and key support from former President Muhammadu Buhari men with northern votes.
"If the opposition votes get further divided, it doesn't augur well for them.
"The men with ego need to bring it down and unite. If not, it is Bola Tinubu till 2031."
Read more on 2027 election:
- Peter Obi, Atiku, or El-Rufai? Who will ADC choose as presidential candidate? We asked ChatGPT
- 2027 election: “Govt officials have ruined political parties,” Peter Obi raises fresh alarm
- 2027 election: Primate Ayodele sends warning message to Tinubu on action that can affect reelection
'Jonathan has offered Obi ministerial slot'
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Dumebi Kachikwu, former presidential candidate of the ADC, claimed that Jonathan has proposed appointing Obi as coordinating minister of the economy on the condition that Obi withdraws from the 2027 presidential race and support his (Jonathan’s) bid.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Kachikwu alleged that northern political forces enlisted Jonathan into the race as part of a plan to weaken the South’s political influence.
Kachikwu also alleged that Obi was told his chances of securing Northern votes were slim solely because he is Igbo.
Source: Legit.ng
