Politics

Why oppositions may adopt Jonathan as consensus candidate

Published

2 weeks ago

May 8, 2026

News Diggers

Opposition groups are considering adopting former President Goodluck Jonathan as their consensus candidate.

A highly placed figure in the opposition group disclosed this to News Diggers.

Explaining the reason for the idea, the source said, “Jonathan has national appeal. He stands a better chance of winning in 2027 than Obi and Atiku, who are regional champions.

“Jonathan is the only one that can dislodge Tinubu from Aso Rock. We will engage Atiku and Obi to see if they can drop their ambitions so that we can have a consensus candidate in the person of Jonathan. By so doing, there will be no sharing of votes between the key opposition candidates that will make Tinubu remain in power.”

The source added that: “The goal here should be how to unseat Tinubu by any legitimate means possible and not about achieving personal lifetime ambition of any candidate. Nigerians need to be delivered from the hardship that Tinubu has plunged them into and it’s only Jonathan that can make that happen.

“Nigerians earnestly yearn for him and we can’t afford to allow this slip off our hands. Since the South is favoured to produce the president in 2027, Jonathan aptly fits in because he can only occupy the seat for a term and hand over to a northerner.”

Jonathan had on Thursday said he will consult widely before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election, following calls by supporters urging him to return to the race.

Jonathan made the remark when a group of supporters visited his office in Abuja, appealing to him to declare interest in the 2027 presidential election.

Addressing the former president, the group said they were motivated by concerns over Nigeria’s future and urged him to heed their request to run for office again.

“Because of our genuine fear of possible collapse, we decided to march on your office today again, hoping that you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation,” the supporters said.

The group claimed to have over 10 million supporters across the country and described themselves as representing different tribes, political parties, age groups and backgrounds.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election,” they added, while also urging Jonathan to obtain a presidential nomination form from a political party of his choice.

Responding, Jonathan thanked the supporters for their patriotism but stressed the importance of peace, credible elections and youth participation in the democratic process.

“It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation,” he said.

The former president urged young Nigerians to continue advocating for peaceful and credible elections, noting that credible electoral processes would encourage competent citizens to participate in politics.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace,” Jonathan said. “And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country, because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics.”

Jonathan, who said he had observed elections in more than 14 African countries, cautioned that presidential contests should not be taken lightly.

“Presidential race is not a computer game. But I heard you. And I will consult widely,” he said.

He added that young people must remain actively involved in shaping the country’s future to ensure a better Nigeria for future generations.

Related Topics:Bola Ahmed Tinubu Featured Goodluck Jonathan

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Politics

2027: Supporters to raise #.6 billion for opposition party

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

Supporters of Obi and Kwankwaso have commenced early negotiations aimed at forming what could emerge as a major opposition alliance ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

The talks are focused on producing a consensus presidential ticket under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) platform, in a move supporters say is designed to strengthen opposition chances against the ruling party.

Obi and Kwankwaso were presidential candidates in the 2023 general elections under the platforms of the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), respectively, leading the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya political movements.

The proposed alliance was unveiled during the NDC Aspirants’ Summit held in Abuja, reflecting growing concerns among opposition figures and grassroots supporters that divided political interests could once again weaken efforts to unseat the ruling party in 2027.

Political observers say the development signals a strategic shift from the fragmented opposition politics that characterised the 2023 elections, where strong candidates split votes across regional and ideological lines.

Supporters within both the Obidient and Kwankwasiyya movements are now exploring the possibility of building a united front well ahead of the official campaign season.

Speaking at the summit, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, disclosed that supporters had already begun mobilising funds to purchase a joint presidential nomination form for Obi and Kwankwaso.

According to him, the target is to raise ₦60 million as both a symbolic and practical demonstration of grassroots commitment to the coalition project.

Tanko said the proposed alliance was in response to growing calls from Nigerians for a stronger opposition platform capable of addressing the country’s economic and governance challenges.

Although neither Obi nor Kwankwaso has formally declared interest in the 2027 presidential race, the growing collaboration between their supporters has already sparked discussions within political circles over possible power-sharing arrangements, regional considerations and the management of competing ambitions.

Representing Obi at the summit, former Inter-Party Advisory Council Chairman, Chief Peter Ameh, urged politicians seeking office under the NDC platform to prioritise credibility and national interest above personal gain.

Ameh stated that many Nigerians were becoming increasingly disillusioned with politics driven by greed, defections and transactional alliances, warning that any coalition lacking clear principles would struggle to gain public trust.

He also criticised the rising trend of post-election defections by politicians, arguing that such actions undermine democratic accountability and betray voters who supported candidates based on party ideology and campaign promises.

Politics

Senator tackles APC leadership, governor over primary election

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

The senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, has declared that “the battle line has been drawn” between him and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, following his defeat in the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.

Isah, one of the seven aspirants who contested for the APC senatorial ticket, alleged widespread irregularities during the exercise, accusing government agents of hijacking electoral materials meant for the primary election.

Speaking after the exercise, the senator said only two votes were recorded in his favour in his own ward, despite his presence there to participate in the process.

According to him, he arrived at his ward expecting to cast his vote but discovered that no electoral officer appeared at the venue. He added that similar incidents were reported in several wards across Kogi East Senatorial District.

The lawmaker said the absence of electoral officials and voting materials prevented many party members from taking part in the primary election in affected areas.

He alleged that the situation was deliberately orchestrated to frustrate his supporters and influence the outcome of the exercise.

Isah maintained that the projects he had executed across Kogi East would continue to strengthen the APC’s chances in the district, including support for the President during future elections.

The senator also expressed disappointment over what he described as unfair treatment from the party leadership and Governor Ododo despite his loyalty and contributions to the APC.

According to him, the governor allegedly turned against him over claims that he intended to challenge him in the future governorship election.

“Well, with the latest development, I will now contest for the governorship position against Governor Ododo when the time comes,” the senator said.

He called on the APC leadership to investigate the alleged hijacking of electoral materials and ensure fairness and transparency in the pa

rty’s electoral process.

Politics

Delta North APC stakeholders reject Okowa’s victory claim, back Ned Nwoko as winner

Published

4 days ago

May 19, 2026

News Diggers

Stakeholders of the Delta North chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected what they described as a “self-declared victory” by former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, in the party’s senatorial primary election.

The stakeholders insisted that available results from across the district showed that Ned Nwoko won the contest overwhelmingly.

In a statement issued in Asaba, the group accused Okowa of attempting to undermine established party procedures by allegedly announcing victory before the completion of the official collation process outlined by the APC National Organising Secretary.

According to the stakeholders, the party had already established a clear framework for the exercise, including ward collation, local government collation, designated constituency collation centres and final submission of results to the party’s national headquarters.

“The authority to declare results rests solely with the National Committee. What Okowa has done is a clear violation of party rules and an attempt to manipulate perception ahead of due process,” the statement read.

The group maintained that figures collated from several wards across Delta North indicated massive support for Nwoko, dismissing Okowa’s claim as “fiction sustained by propaganda.”

Among the results cited were Ward 7 in Ndokwa West, where Nwoko reportedly polled 1,281 votes against Okowa’s 26 votes, while in Ward 9, Abbi, also in Ndokwa West, Nwoko allegedly secured 1,505 votes against 420 votes for Okowa.

In Akumazi Ward 7, Nwoko was said to have scored 687 votes compared to Okowa’s five votes, while in Ward 13, Ute Ogbeje, Ika North East, the senator reportedly polled 415 votes against 13 votes for the former governor.

The stakeholders also listed several results from Ukwuani and Oshimili South local government areas, which they claimed showed a consistent pattern of dominance in favour of Nwoko.

“These figures are not isolated — they reflect a consistent and overwhelming pattern across the district. The people have spoken clearly in favour of Senator Ned Nwoko,” the statement added.

The stakeholders further alleged that the primary election was marred by violence and intimidation in some areas believed to be strongholds of support for Nwoko.

They cited incidents in Ward 9, Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area, where a party member identified as Igelige Chukunomnazu allegedly sustained injuries following attacks during the exercise.

According to the statement, supporters of Nwoko were allegedly intimidated, while vote counting processes were manipulated.

The group also alleged that an individual identified as Ernest was stabbed during the exercise in Ward 8, Aniocha North Local Government Area, adding that photographic and video evidence of the incident existed.

In Ward 3, Anishi Primary School, the stakeholders claimed that violence escalated to the point that the returning officer reportedly fled the venue for safety.

Describing the incidents as coordinated efforts to suppress voters, the stakeholders called on the APC National Committee to intervene and ensure that the final declaration reflected the actual outcome of the exercise.

“The integrity of the party is at stake. This is not just about a primary election — it is about whether internal democracy will be upheld or sacrificed to manipulation,” the statement said.

The group urged the party leadership to disregard what it described as “manufactured narratives” and formally affirm the outcome that reflected the will of party members across Delta North.