Jonathan Rules Out 2027 Presidential Bid, Says He Won’t Contest Against Obi
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the former president Goodluck Jonathan, has once again dispelled speculations of a political comeback, declaring that he will not contest in the 2027 presidential election.
OTN News further reports as gathered that Jonathan, who left office in 2015 after losing to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been the subject of rumours suggesting he might re-enter the race.
However, sources close to the former leader told New Telegraph that he has firmly rejected the idea, stressing that running against Labour Party’s Peter Obi would be tantamount to betraying the South-East.
OTN News recalls that Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the Labour Party platform, has already confirmed his intention to vie again in 2027.
He has pledged to serve only one term, completing President Bola Tinubu’s tenure in line with the principle of rotational presidency.
According to one source, Jonathan recalled that during his presidency, he received more votes from the South-East than from his own South-South region. “So the talk about Jonathan running in 2027 is not true,” the source was quoted as saying.
The report also revealed that Jonathan dismissed mounting pressure for his return, describing such calls as “selfish” and designed to undermine southern unity.
“He would not be used to truncate anybody’s chances,” another source disclosed, adding that Jonathan now sees himself more as an international statesman than an active partisan politician.
OTN News, however, observes that Jonathan’s stance places him among a growing list of southern leaders advocating unity as debates on zoning and power rotation intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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