Northern Elites Accused Of Pushing Jonathan Into 2027 Race

Former African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has accused a group of northern political figures of persuading former President Goodluck Jonathan to enter the 2027 presidential race.

He claims the move is aimed at reducing the chances of President Bola Tinubu, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and other southern contenders.

Kachikwu made the allegation at a press briefing in Abuja, stating that some leaders in the ADC coalition told Obi he could not secure northern support as an Igbo candidate and should instead consider being the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. He also alleged that the party’s leadership had been taken over unlawfully by former Senate President David Mark and ex-Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola to further Atiku’s presidential ambition.

He said the unveiling of the ADC as a coalition platform for opposition leaders in July had deepened divisions between the North and South-East. Figures such as Obi and former APC presidential hopeful Rotimi Amaechi, he claimed, were struggling to gain influence in northern political circles and even within the coalition.

Kachikwu alleged that northern leaders had been spreading false narratives against Tinubu and other southern aspirants to sway public opinion. He added that Jonathan had recently consulted northern elites and hinted at joining the 2027 race, with reports suggesting he was offering Obi a top economic role in exchange for his backing.

He urged Nigerians to reject Atiku and his allies, accusing them of exploiting regional and religious divisions for political gain. According to him, old political elites were again trying to control the system, keeping power away from the South. He warned that merit in leadership would continue to suffer unless such practices were ended.

Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, dismissed Kachikwu’s claims, describing Atiku as a leader who does not see Nigeria through the lens of ethnicity or religion. He accused Kachikwu of working for the APC to disrupt opposition unity. Ibe maintained that Atiku and his allies were committed to offering Nigerians an alternative to Tinubu’s government, which he said had brought hardship, insecurity, and economic decline.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, also rejected Kachikwu’s accusations, insisting that the coalition remained united and had not violated the party’s constitution. He challenged anyone with evidence of wrongdoing to present it and stated that the coalition’s focus was on challenging Tinubu in 2027.