2027 Presidency: Jonathan Reportedly Considering ADC Platform

• Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the ADC has had series of meetings with many eminent Nigerians, and more meetings are expected to take place soon
• Leaders and key stakeholders in the ADC and PDP have reportedly intensified moves to win former President Goodluck Jonathan into their respective parties
• Meetings in Abuja have been held between Jonathan and ADC coalition leaders, which sources said was all about the ex-Nigerian leader’s 2027 ambition

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has more than 9 years of experience covering politics, elections, and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - Former President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be considering aligning with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

This is as the party’s coalition of opposition forces gathers strength and intensifies consultations with key political stakeholders across the country.

Jonathan may appear as ADC candidate

Per The Punch, multiple members of the ADC national working committee (NWC), who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the former president was considering the platform.

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2027 election: Tension rocks ADC as Obi likely to begin fresh plot, "If they don't zone ticket to south"

Legit.ng reports that Jonathan has not declared his intention to run for a second term in office, but some politicians, including ex-minister Professor Jerry Gana have called on him to do so. Also, in what seems to be part of consultations ahead of a possible declaration, Jonathan has noticeably increased his public engagements with opposition figures in Nigeria in recent times.

Jonathan was first sworn in as president in 2010 to complete the term of Umaru Yar’Adua who died in office. He then won the 2011 election and was sworn in for a full term before losing re-election to late President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a report by The Punch on Sunday, October 5, a source within the ADC leadership informed it that Jonathan’s recent meetings with the coalition leaders was largely centered on the 2027 presidential election. The 67-year-old has met ADC coalition members like Peter Obi and Senator David Mark.

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Another source mentioned that Jonathan might join the ADC if the party agreed to give him the presidential ticket unopposed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra state governor Peter Obi.

He said:

“From what I have gathered, if the party will willingly grant him (Jonathan) the ticket, he may consider running on the platform of the ADC. And that is if the likes of Obi and Atiku will agree to a consensus arrangement and support him as the party’s candidate.”

'APC not scare of Jonathan': Party chieftain

Meanwhile, an Oyo-based chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ope Adesokan, said his party is not intimidated by the prospect of former President Jonathan joining to the race.

Speaking in a chat with Legit.ng, Adesokan downplayed the relevance of the coalition ADC.

"No coalition, regardless of how they chant good governance, can obliterate the enduring legacy of our leader, President Bola Tinubu, who has prioritised people-centred policies and governance driven by results and not rhetoric. Tinubu’s administration may not be perfect like any other, but it is straightforward, courageous, reform-driven and committed to the nation’s stability – qualities which the coalition is lacking."

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He added:

"The same attention-seeking politicians should know that Nigerians have not forgotten their rudderless, reckless and unpatriotic dispositions while in power."

Read more on Goodluck Jonathan:

• 2027 election: New twist as Goodluck Jonathan, Rabu Kwankwaso reportedly deepen negotiations
• 2027 presidency battle: South-South PDP divided as ex-President Goodluck Jonathan's plot to return deepens
• Wike speaks on return of Goodluck Jonathan in 2027 election: “For Christ’s sake"

Kenneth Okonkwo warns Jonathan

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Kenneth Okonkwo, a former chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow Jonathan to enjoy his retirement from public office in peace, rather than luring him into the 2027 race.

Okonkwo explained that rather than luring Jonathan into the 2027 election race, the cheerleaders should allow the former Nigerian leader to enjoy his credibility.

The former LP chieftain asked Jonathan to maintain his status as an “international statesman.”

Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng