Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Sunday held a closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja, describing the engagement as part of his “extensive consultations” with national leaders on Nigeria’s future and the 2027 general elections.
Obi, who was accompanied by prominent leaders from the South-East, disclosed details of the visit in a post on his official X handle on April 27, 2026. The meeting took place at Jonathan’s residence in the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Obi, the discussions were deliberate and wide-ranging, anchored on the state of the nation and the urgent steps needed to address current challenges. “Our discussions were frank, thoughtful, and anchored on the urgent need to reposition Nigeria on the path of unity, security, stability, productivity, and inclusive governance,” Obi wrote.
The former Anambra State governor said the country’s economic hardship, rising insecurity, and deepening social divisions make it imperative for leaders across regions to engage more frequently. “At a time when our nation continues to grapple with economic hardship, rising insecurity, and deepening social divisions, it has become imperative that leaders across regions come together to reflect, consult, and act in the overall interest of the Nigerian people,” he stated.
Obi used the opportunity to restate his position on governance, arguing that leadership must move beyond managing scarcity to creating value. “The kind of leadership that understands that governance is not about sharing what is left, but about creating what is needed,” he said.
While he did not disclose specific political agreements from the meeting, Obi framed the 2027 general elections as a critical juncture for the country. He described the next poll as a chance to “reset the trajectory of our country” and called for a leadership approach built on competence, compassion, and service delivery.
The visit to Jonathan is the latest in a series of consultations Obi has embarked on since the 2023 elections. He has met with traditional rulers, religious leaders, and former heads of state in recent months, a move analysts see as part of broader realignments ahead of 2027.
Former President Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, has remained an influential figure in national politics and has hosted several presidential hopefuls and stakeholders in the past year. Neither Jonathan nor his media office has issued a statement on Sunday’s meeting.
Political observers note that Obi’s outreach to the South-South and engagement with Jonathan signals an intent to build broader coalitions beyond his South-East base. With three years to the next general elections, alignments and consultations among key political figures are expected to intensify.
The Labour Party has not announced its full strategy for 2027, but Obi’s continuous engagement with national leaders suggests groundwork for a wider political conversation on security
