Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, took a step of faith and met with leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in no less a critical consultation ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Jonathan, who publicly met with politicians and party leaders for the first time since his rumoured bid to return to power, met the ADC stakeholders at the home of their National Chairman, Senator David Mark.
Seen in a viral video as he walked into the expansive residence of the former Senate President in Abuja, others with Mark were former Minister of Sports and ADC spokesperson, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, as well as a former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, among others. While details of the meeting remain shrouded in secrecy as no one was willing to share, sources claimed the former president has begun consultations ahead of the 2027 polls following increasing pressure to get in the ring and ‘save’ the nation.
Although expectations were that even if Jonathan was going to throw his hat in the ring, he would run on the platform of his party, the PDP, his meeting with ADC leaders, sources added, was not unconnected to the need to work together with like-minded and have a formidable opposition to challenge the incumbent president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Stakeholders, therefore, considered Thursday’s meeting a major development for the opposition parties in general, as their possible unity against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could change the equation in 2027.
The ADC spokesman further revealed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) would soon announce dates for primaries in Osun and Ekiti states ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states.
Those present at the meeting included National Chairman, David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; and former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi.
