PDP Chieftain Says Jonathan Better Option for North Than Obi in 2027

A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has said the North would benefit more if former President Goodluck Jonathan returns to lead the country instead of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate.

Sani made this known during a political talk show on Trust TV, where he addressed rising speculation about the PDP possibly backing either Jonathan or Obi in the buildup to the 2027 elections. He stated that, in the eyes of many in the North, Jonathan is a more suitable option.

He explained that Jonathan’s return would allow the South to complete its eight-year share of power, following President Bola Tinubu’s tenure. Sani pointed out that Jonathan, by constitutional rule, can only serve one more term, which gives the North a clearer path to regain the presidency in 2031.

According to Sani, Obi’s pledge to serve only one term lacks the legal backing that limits Jonathan’s tenure. He said that promises in politics are not guaranteed, while constitutional limits are certain. For that reason, he believes Jonathan presents a more secure arrangement for those in the North pushing for power rotation.

He also argued that Jonathan’s brief return would balance the political scale between North and South, following the eight years served by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The idea, he said, is not about personality, but about creating a fair transition that would pave the way for the North’s return in the next cycle.

Obi had earlier declared his intention to contest in 2027, pledging to govern for four years. But Sani expressed doubt over how binding that promise would be, warning that relying solely on such verbal commitments could work against the North’s political calculation.

He maintained that Jonathan’s candidacy would offer a more predictable outcome in terms of zoning and power rotation, making him the better choice from a northern strategic standpoint.