Former President Goodluck Jonathan is said to be considering aligning with the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party’s coalition of opposition forces gathers strength and intensifies consultations with key political stakeholders across the country.

Multiple members of the ADC National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the former president was considering the platform.

In recent weeks, there have been reports suggesting that former President Jonathan may contest the 2027 elections against President Bola Tinubu.

Although Jonathan has yet to make an official statement regarding his intentions, several leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party have been calling on’him to run on the party’s platform. While some Nigerians support the idea and even suggest alternative platforms, others have advised him not to join the race.

Beyond party politics, public opinion remains divided on Jonathan’s eligibility, especially in light of the 2018 constitutional amendment that bars anyone who has been sworn in twice as president or governor from contesting again.

However, in what seems to be part of consultations ahead of a possible declaration, former President Jonathan has noticeably increased his public engagements in recent times. Beyond attending nearly all national events he is invited to, he has also been meeting with key political figures.

Notably, Jonathan met with the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Abuja on September 12, and later held discussions with ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, along with other leaders of the coalition party on September 25.

A source within the ADC leadership told Sunday PUNCH that Jonathan’s meeting with the coalition leaders was largely centered on the 2027 presidential election.

He stated, “The truth is, Jonathan is a very important and patriotic Nigerian, and he will be a great asset to our party. Our party has already established communication with him. As you may know, the National Chairman and some members of the ADC have met with him several times.

“Of course, the discussions centred on the 2027 elections and the future leadership of Nigeria. We believe that the ADC will serve as a better platform for all Nigerians, including Jonathan.

“It is the only credible alternative platform, and we are working with him and many others whom we expect to join the party.”

Another source revealed that Jonathan might join the ADC if the party agreed to give him the presidential ticket unopposed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

He stated, “Of course, the former president met with some leaders of our party. Part of the discussion was about leadership in the country, the challenges, how the All Progressives Congress has destroyed most of the democratic institutions and complicated matters for Nigerians generally in terms of the economy and security.

“So, ADC is the only formidable opposition party that is not under the grip of the APC. Jonathan is considering the platform. And from what I have gathered, if the party will willingly grant him the ticket, he may consider running on the platform of the ADC. Even though he hasn’t come out clearly about his intention and ambition for 2027, the subtle negotiations and discussions we’ve had so far all point in that direction.

“And that is if the likes of Obi and Atiku will agree to a consensus arrangement and support him as the party’s candidate. So, in all, we’re optimistic. As Nigerians are waiting for him to make clarification and declaration and make his intention known, we are also waiting.”

In his remarks, the ADC Youth Leader, Balarabe Rufai, stated that Jonathan’s discussion with Mark centered on the future.

Rufai, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, said, “Yes, in the case of the ADC, every good Nigerian that is patriotic and has the country in mind would want to have an alternative.

And the ADC is the only alternative for now. You can see the leadership of the PDP, what is going on with the leadership in the PDP, the factions, so is the Labour Party. They are more or less an extension of the APC. So, the ADC is the only credible platform that has trusted leaders, that have integrity, that people will have confidence in.

“You know, leadership is about trust. So, in the person of former President Goodluck Jonathan, he’s a patriotic citizen. He has written his name in gold, not only in Nigeria but also in the international community. So, it’s not a surprise that he has met with our National Chairman and other leaders of our party. I am very sure what they have discussed is all about the future of the country.

“They are putting their heads together, most especially the former head of state, the elder statesman, and any other patriotic citizen who is looking for alternative, looking for the way out.And for Jonathan and other Nigerians, ADC is the way out. ADC is the only opposition party now. All the other opposition parties are not trusted by their members. Their members are defecting to ADC because their leadership has been sold out to the APC.”

When contacted, the National Treasurer of the ADC and member of the coalition party, Mani Ibrahim, confirmed that the coalition leaders have been holding meetings with stakeholders and that several more will take place ahead of the 2027 elections.

In an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, Ibrahim stated that if the momentum currently being built by the ADC is maintained, the party will achieve its desired results in the next election.

He stated, “We have ’ad a series of meetings with many eminent Nigerians, and more meetings are set to take place soon. Between now and the next two years, we have strategized. We have a roadmap, and we are following it diligently.

“Everything will fall in place, I can assure you. We are building on the fact that Nigerians are not satisfied with the present administration. The level of poverty and hunger, deprivation, insecurity that is everywhere. People are complaining left, right, and center.

“And we have come forth with an appeal that Nigerians have accepted within the last two months. This appeal is to assure them that we feel what they feel. We are aware of their plight, and we know how much they are suffering. And they see faces they can trust to bring about the desired change for this country to get out of the quagmire we have found ourselves in within the last two years.

“So, we are confident that with the momentum we have gained, and if we are able to sustain it and further deepen the party in the states, local governments, in the wards, and at the polling units, continue to reach out, particularly the younger generation — the youths in this country who form a very huge demographic voting bloc, we should be able to get the kind of results we anticipate. And more so, every filler we are getting from all parts of the country is indicative that Nigerians believe they deserve better and they are not getting it from this administration.”

Reacting, the All Progressives Congress Director Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said regardless of political parties, defeat awaited Jonathan if he joined the 2027 race.

Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH, stated, “Our party defeated him when he was full of confidence in the PDP, and the PDP was full of confidence in itself.

So much that it thought it was going to rule the country for 60 years. How can our party not beat him now that he has lost confidence in that party and has joined a party that has no bearing at all?

“Beating him will be easy because the ADC is not organised, and with the overwhelming support of Nigerians that we enjoy, the APC will defeat him in the 2027 race regardless of his political party.”

Attempts by our correspondent to reach the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi; Atiku’s Media Aide, Paul Ibe; and the National Coordinator of the Obidients Movement, Yunusa Tanko, were unsuccessful, as none of them responded to calls as of press time. (Sunday PUNCH)

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