Former President Goodluck Jonathan held a significant closed-door meeting with the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday in Abuja. Obi, who revealed the meeting on his official X handle, described the discussion as fruitful and in the nation’s interest, referring to Jonathan as his “elder brother, statesman, and leader.” This engagement has fueled considerable speculation within Nigeria's political landscape, especially given the current political climate and ongoing debates about the nation's governance under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The meeting occurs amidst persistent efforts by leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to persuade both Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi to return to the former ruling party. The overarching objective of these moves is to position one of them as a potential presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The PDP has recently zoned its presidential ticket to the South, adding another layer of context to these overtures.

Several prominent PDP figures have publicly supported the initiative to bring them back. Former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, has described Jonathan as the party's best bet, while former Minister of Information, Prof Jerry Gana, confirmed efforts to re-engage Obi. The Senate minority leader, Sen Abba Moro, has also corroborated the party's desire to see both Jonathan and Obi rejoin its ranks.

However, these reconciliation efforts are not without opposition. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his faction have voiced strong warnings against moves to bring Jonathan and Obi back into the PDP. Wike's camp has publicly pledged its support and intention to work for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections, indicating a potential schism within the broader political scene regarding future alignments.

Goodluck Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s President from 2010 to 2015 and was the PDP’s candidate in the 2015 election when the party lost power to the All Progressives Congress (APC), had largely distanced himself from the party following its protracted post-election period. In recent years, Jonathan has taken on a prominent role as a mediator in conflict resolution and democratic strengthening efforts across Africa.

Peter Obi, on the other hand, dramatically exited the PDP shortly before the party’s presidential primary election in 2022, citing the party’s failure to zone its ticket to the South as a primary reason. He had previously served as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2019 election. After his departure, he became the presidential candidate for the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, where he secured a third-place finish. Obi has since continued a series of consultations with various political stakeholders, making his meeting with Jonathan the latest in these high-profile engagements.

The convergence of these two influential figures at a time of intense political maneuvering and ahead of crucial future elections signifies a moment of heightened debate and speculation regarding Nigeria's political direction and potential realignments.