Labour Party says Peter Obi not bothered by calls for Jonathan to run in 2027

Nigeria’s Labour Party says its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, is not disturbed about the growing call for former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race.

The reaction followed a recent declaration of support for Jonathan’s return by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In the past few weeks, speculations were rife that Northern elites and politicians have grown weary with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and are making surreptitious moves to effect a change of government in the next election.

In a speech last week, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed amplified the sentiments when he reacted to a call for Jonathan to contest for presidency in 2027.

Mohammed said he would only embark on such an adventure if Jonathan opted not to contest.

The Governor said the former President has the required experience to revamp the Nigerian economy and would do a better job than the current government if given another chance to serve the country.

Reacting to the development, Obi’s campaign spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, said it may be too early in the day to start permutating about the 2027 presidential race.

“We are not perturbed with any situation. At the moment, we are only focusing on what concerns Nigerians in terms of their welfare, needs and challenges.

“We are also taking time to build the structure of our platform. That’s where we are now. When we get to that particular bridge, we will cross it,” he told Saturday PUNCH.

Tanko, who expressed suspicion that people are testing the waters with the idea of a Jonathan return, said the Labour Party can’t be intimidated should the PDP follow through with the idea.