Northern Politicians Pushing Jonathan’s 2027 Presidential Bid to Sideline Tinubu

—Chief Ogbonnaya

Chief Charles Obioha Ogbonnaya, a seasoned politician from Abia State, has revealed that some influential Northern political groups are actively promoting former President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidacy for the 2027 presidency as a strategic move to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his first term.

In an exclusive interview on Saturday, October 4, 2025,with reporters, Chief Ogbonnaya acknowledged that Jonathan holds every constitutional right to seek the presidency again. However, he emphasized that the current push for Jonathan’s return is not solely driven by the former president himself; rather, it is largely orchestrated by Northern political interests.

Ogbonnaya explained that these Northern factions see Jonathan as a candidate who would likely serve only one term if elected, facilitating a quicker return of presidential power to the North in the subsequent election cycle. This calculation forms the backbone of the Northern strategy, according to the Abia-born politician, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The push behind Jonathan’s candidacy is a calculated regional move, not about Jonathan’s personal ambition, but about political interests aiming to remove Tinubu after one term,” Ogbonnaya said.

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Warning about the possible destabilizing effect of this political maneuver, Ogbonnaya urged the South East to carefully assess its position ahead of the 2027 elections. He stressed the importance of the Igbo and other South Eastern states rallying behind Tinubu to maintain political relevance and influence on the national stage.

Ogbonnaya also highlighted the fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where alliances shift frequently. He described Jonathan as a respected elder statesman but cautioned that his re-emergence could reopen political wounds and exacerbate regional divisions.

Other recent reports indicate that Jonathan’s potential candidacy has already fractured some political groups in the South-South and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with factions both supporting and opposing his bid. Meanwhile, there is notable backing for Jonathan from some Northern elites and political pressure groups within the PDP and newer opposition parties who see his return as a unifying option against the ruling APC.

Various pro-Jonathan groups have also criticized the Tinubu administration for economic hardships, calling for a return to what they characterize as a more inclusive leadership under Jonathan. Yet, Chief Ogbonnaya pointed to Tinubu’s achievements and distribution of appointments across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones as reasons for his continued support.

Ogbonnaya’s call for Southern unity behind Tinubu resonates with earlier statements where he urged the South East, South South, and South West to forge stronger cooperation to secure Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, warning against internal divisions that could be exploited by Northern politicians.

As the 2027 elections approach, the political landscape remains highly dynamic, with regional strategies and alliances likely shaping Nigeria’s future leadership and balance of power.