Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday met behind closed doors with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, stirring fresh speculation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While no official details of the meeting were released, it comes at a time of growing calls across the country for Jonathan to return to active politics.
Images from the meeting were shared by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, via his social media platforms.
The development follows mounting pressure from political groups, including the Goodluck Presidential Support Campaign Group, which recently urged Jonathan to run in the 2027 presidential race.
The group’s Director General, Jeff Okoi, described the moment as pivotal for Nigeria, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership to tackle the nation’s challenges. He said the appeal was the outcome of extensive consultations nationwide.
The meeting also comes months after former Information Minister, Jerry Gana, suggested that Jonathan could emerge as the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2027, a claim that generated widespread reactions.
However, the Presidency dismissed the narrative, with Onanuga cautioning that some political actors may be attempting to lure Jonathan into the race for personal gain. He added that while Jonathan is constitutionally eligible to run, the final decision rests with the Nigerian electorate.
Legal questions have also surfaced. Human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu pointed to possible constitutional hurdles regarding Jonathan’s eligibility, referencing provisions of the 1999 Constitution on presidential term limits for those sworn in twice.
As political maneuvering ahead of 2027 intensifies, the Tinubu–Jonathan meeting is likely to further influence discussions about Nigeria’s shifting political landscape.
