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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, took a step of faith and met with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in no less a critical consultation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan, who publicly met with politicians and party leaders for the first time since his rumoured bid to return to power, met the ADC stakeholders at the home of their National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
Seen in a viral video as he walked into the expansive residence of the former Senate President in Abuja, others with Mark were former Minister of Sports and ADC spokesperson, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi as well as a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, among others.
While details of the meeting remains shrouded in secrecy as no one was willing to share, sources claimed the former president has begun consultations ahead of the 2027 polls following increasing pressure to get in the ring and ‘save’ the nation.
Although expectations were that even if Jonathan was going to throw his hat in the ring, he would run on the platform of his party, the PDP, his meeting with ADC leaders, sources added, was not unconnected to the need to work together with like-minds and have a formidable opposition to challenge the incumbent president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Much as Jonathan has yet to openly consented to running even though the pressure increases each day, party sources said the consultation was also some morale-boosting therapy for a man, who felt betrayed by some of his closest allies in the 2015 polls.
According to the source, Jonathan still tops the list of the potential candidates to give Tinubu a tough challenge in 2027 since the north seems to be more comfortable with a man that is constitutionally limited to a term of four years than the others who might renege on any understanding reached once power exchanged hands.
Stakeholders, therefore, considered Thursday’s meeting a major development for the opposition parties in general as their possible unity against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could change the equation in 2027.
Also, earlier on Thursday, the ADC directed its members to resign from other political parties, but it remained silent on the timeline for compliance.
Peter Obi, a member of the coalition party, had yet to disclaim his membership of Labour Party (LP).
National Publicity Secretary of ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, disclosed the new directive while addressing journalists in Abuja, after a caucus meeting attended by top party leaders and political figures.
Abdullahi said, “Though final order has been given to all members to resign membership of other political parties, the caucus was silent on the timeline.”
The caucus also announced that all issues concerning African Democratic Association (ADA) had been concluded.
According to Abdullahi, “The coalition has rested everything concerning the ADA. That means they are not interested in the registration or otherwise of the association.”
On the 2027 presidential race, Abdullahi said ADC’s presidential aspirants had agreed to back whoever emerged winner of the primaries.
“All the presidential aspirants have agreed to support whoever wins the primaries election,” he stated.
The ADC spokesman further revealed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) would soon announce dates for primaries in Osun and Ekiti states ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states.
Those present at the meeting included National Chairman, David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Secretary, Ogbeni RaufAregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; and former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi.
Obi was however absent at the meeting but sent his apologies and reaffirmed his commitment to the coalition.
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