2027 Presidency: Jonathan a Better Option for the North Than Peter Obi – PDP Chieftain Umar Sani

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has said that Northern Nigeria would be more inclined to support former President Goodluck Jonathan over Peter Obi as the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.

Speaking during an appearance on Trust TV’s “Daily Politics” on Saturday, Sani dismissed speculations about the PDP courting Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, insisting that Jonathan remains a more strategic and predictable choice for the North.

Sani, who served as Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, argued that Jonathan’s constitutional limit of a single four-year term makes him a more acceptable option compared to Obi, whose campaign promise of a single term lacks legal backing.

“Between somebody making a promise and someone who is constitutionally compelled to leave office after four years, which would you choose?” Sani asked. “Jonathan is legally bound to leave after one term. Obi, on the other hand, is only making a verbal promise — and a promise can be kept or broken.”

Sani’s comments come amid renewed discussions within the PDP about recalibrating its strategy ahead of the 2027 elections, including potential alliances or defections involving key opposition figures.

While acknowledging Obi’s reputation for integrity, Sani emphasized that the political calculus of the North leans toward a candidate with a guaranteed single-term tenure, which would create space for a power shift afterward.

“For the North, I think Goodluck Jonathan is the best choice. His return offers a short-term presidency and a smoother pathway for future negotiations,” he added.

The debate over PDP’s 2027 strategy continues to intensify, with party stalwarts split between exploring new alliances, welcoming back former members, or rallying behind a new generation of leadership.

As of now, neither Jonathan nor Obi has publicly declared their intentions for the next presidential election cycle.