2027: No Pact With Jonathan to Unseat Tinubu – Peter Obi Denies Political Alliance

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has denied claims of a political alliance with former President Goodluck Jonathan aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

This clarification comes amid growing speculation following a recent closed-door meeting between Obi and Jonathan in Abuja, which fuelled rumours of a potential opposition realignment ahead of the next presidential election.

Social media has since been abuzz, with supporters of both men debating the possibility of a joint ticket or alliance, with some calling for either Obi or Jonathan to step aside in the interest of building a united opposition front.

However, Obi, speaking through his media aide and National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko, told The PUNCH that there was no such discussion or agreement about the 2027 elections.

“My principal and the former president have a very good working relationship and they know each other very well. So seeing them talk to each other does not mean anything,” Tanko said.

He further clarified that their meeting was purely cordial and focused on national issues, not electoral strategies.

“It should not be translated to mean anything other than a platonic discussion on how to move this country forward,” he explained.

Tanko also revealed that he was present during a previous meeting between Obi and Jonathan in Ghana, and reaffirmed that political scheming for 2027 was never on the agenda.

“Even when they met in Ghana, I was there. So there was nothing like that,” he added.

The statement from Obi’s camp appears aimed at quelling political tension and speculation about potential moves to build a coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the next election cycle.

With the 2027 race still years away, Obi has continued to maintain a focus on governance and policy reform rather than electioneering, according to his aides.