Pressure Mounts On Jonathan To Join Race While Opposition Heavyweights Explore Coalition Against Tinubu’s APC

Supporters of former President Goodluck Jonathan have intensified their political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Their focus is clear: building a formidable coalition strong enough to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and President Bola Tinubu. With the APC hierarchy already united behind Tinubu for a second term bid, the opposition is scrambling for strategy, alliances, and credible figures who can mount a serious challenge.

Power brokers within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have begun turning their attention southward following the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the region. The move has immediately brought Jonathan’s name back into circulation, with many Northern PDP leaders pressuring him to make a political comeback.

Persistent lobbying has been ongoing for weeks. Sources reveal that Northern stakeholders within the PDP are not only exploring Jonathan’s candidacy but are also engaging other influential figures who could help tilt the balance against Tinubu. The sense of urgency stems from fears that the APC’s entrenched control of federal power could further weaken the opposition unless a broad-based alliance is constructed.

Discussions have also extended to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, who broke away from the PDP in 2022 to pursue his ambitions under the Labour Party platform. Despite his departure, many PDP stalwarts believe Obi’s popularity, particularly among younger voters and urban elites, could be crucial in determining the outcome of 2027. Several high-ranking PDP figures have been quietly urging him to consider a return.

Obi’s stance has remained consistent. While unwilling to be pinned down on whether he would return to the PDP or formally align with another bloc like the African Democratic Congress, ADC, he has been clear about one thing: any platform capable of rescuing Nigeria from the grip of the APC has his support.

The ADC coalition is steadily gaining visibility, drawing figures such as former Rivers State governor and ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir el-Rufai. This gathering of political heavyweights signals an evolving realignment within the opposition, with emphasis on unity above personal ambition.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, has also emerged as one of the Southern figures weighing a presidential run. Together with Obi and Amaechi, Makinde represents a new generation of contenders determined to provide voters with alternatives outside the APC’s structure.

Within this tense political landscape, Jonathan’s loyalists have stepped up their outreach. Reliable sources confirmed that Jonathan’s camp has already initiated discreet contacts with Obi in an effort to persuade him to shelve his ambitions for the former president. While there are whispers that Jonathan and Obi may have already met to deliberate, insiders close to the former Anambra governor insist no direct meeting has occurred.

A source familiar with the matter emphasized that while Jonathan’s associates are indeed lobbying Obi, the Labour Party leader has not shifted from his commitment to his political project. According to the insider, Obi remains convinced that his mission is to rescue Nigeria and is unlikely to step aside easily.

The prospect of Jonathan re-entering the political arena has generated mixed reactions. Some argue that his return could consolidate PDP’s strength, leveraging his experience and broad national network. Others believe his candidacy might reignite old controversies and undermine efforts to project a fresh, reform-minded image that appeals to Nigeria’s restless youth population.

What is clear is that the 2027 election is shaping up to be an all-Southern contest, with the PDP, Labour Party, ADC, and other blocs placing their bets on Southern candidates. This shift reflects not only zoning decisions but also a deeper recalibration of the country’s political equation, one where regional balance and strategic alliances will determine who holds the keys to Aso Rock.

For now, Jonathan remains in consultation mode, weighing his options carefully as emissaries reach out to potential allies. Obi continues to position himself as a leading opposition voice, building his appeal among Nigerians disenchanted with Tinubu’s administration. Meanwhile, the APC, buoyed by incumbency, is already consolidating around Tinubu with the confidence of a party determined to maintain its hold on power.

The months ahead promise heightened negotiations, shifting allegiances, and a complex dance of political strategy. Whether Jonathan takes the plunge or Obi secures a coalition that aligns with his vision, one fact is already evident. The 2027 presidential race will be defined not just by personalities but by the ability of opposition forces to bridge divides and forge a unified front against a well-entrenched ruling party.