The Obidient Movement has appealed to former President Goodluck Jonathan to support Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 presidential election, rather than joining the race himself.
The appeal follows a closed-door meeting between the two leaders on Thursday, which Peter Obi shared publicly via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. In the post, Obi described Jonathan as “a very dear elder brother, statesman, and leader,” adding that their discussions focused on the state of the nation.
While speculation continues to grow about Jonathan’s potential return to presidential politics, the former president has not made any formal declaration.
In a statement on Friday, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, urged Jonathan to maintain his role as an elder statesman and support Obi’s presidential ambitions in the interest of national unity and progress.
“They have been friends for a long time. The meeting was for them to fraternise and discuss how to rescue Nigeria,” Tanko said.
“But for us in the Obidient Movement, it would be great if Jonathan remains the respected statesman he is known for. He has done his best as President, he is respected, and this is the time for him to support his brother.”
Tanko added that while both leaders are respected by many Nigerians, Peter Obi remains the preferred choice for millions seeking new leadership and governance reforms.
The Obidient Movement — a grassroots support group that emerged during the 2023 general elections — continues to back Obi as the face of a reformist agenda aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.
Jonathan’s potential candidacy, if confirmed, could significantly shift the dynamics ahead of 2027, especially if he runs under a different platform or as a consensus candidate of a broader coalition.
As of now, both Jonathan and Obi have remained silent on the details of their private conversation.
