Frontline presidential aspirant and 2023 Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday led a delegation of prominent South-East leaders to a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
The meeting, which lasted about two hours, was part of ongoing political consultations ahead of the 2027 general election and brought together influential figures from the South-East political space. Among those in attendance were former Enugu State governor Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Imo State governor Achike Udenwa, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission Onyema Ugochukwu, and Senators Ben Obi and Victor Umeh, among others.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Obi said the engagement formed part of his wider consultations with former national leaders across the country regarding his presidential ambition.
He explained that the discussions were not about endorsements at this stage, but about seeking advice and exchanging perspectives on Nigeria’s political direction.
“We need to consult them, especially someone like him who served the country very faithfully, focused, and did what is expected in a democracy. In this declining situation, you consult him,” Obi said.
Obi, who is currently seeking the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), noted that his engagements with former leaders are aimed at broadening dialogue on governance, democracy, and national unity.
He added that similar visits had been made to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military head of state Ibrahim Babangida as part of his nationwide consultations.
According to Obi, the former president, Jonathan, expressed concern about Nigeria’s democratic trajectory and stressed the importance of free and fair elections.
“He wished that we had a free, fair, credible election. There can’t be a one-party system. He cannot support such a thing. Nobody can claim to be more of a democrat in this country than Jonathan,” Obi said.
He, however, clarified that no endorsement was sought or discussed during the meeting, adding that such conversations would only take place when he formally emerges as a candidate.
“We’re not talking about an endorsement yet. When I become a candidate, I’ll come back for endorsement. We are here to consult with him,” he added.
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