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Jonathan not in 2027 race, associates insist

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Close associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan have dismissed speculations about a possible 2027 presidential bid, insisting that there is no indication that the former leader intends to return to the ballot.

They described reports linking him to the race as politically motivated, adding that a statement reiterating his lack of interest in the 2027 presidential race would be released soon.

The associates, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, told our correspondent    that Jonathan’s name was being used to pursue certain interests and create confusion within the political space.

Since the commencement of preparations for the 2027 elections, the interim National Working Committee led by Tanimu Turaki (SAN) has repeatedly claimed that former President Goodluck Jonathan registered as a member of its faction.

The group also alleged that he purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 presidential race and implied that he completed and submitted them, despite providing no evidence to support the claims.

In a further twist, Jonathan was reportedly screened and cleared to contest on the faction’s platform in absentia.

Additionally, on Saturday, the Turaki-led PDP faction announced the former president as its 2027 presidential candidate, also in absentia.

The source, a former minister, said if Jonathan were seeking the presidency, he would be openly engaging in consultations and political outreach across the country.

He stated, “Anyway, those of us who are close to former President Goodluck Jonathan know that he is not running in the 2027 election.

“If he were, he would be actively involved, and many of us who are part of his political structure would also be mobilising in support of his ambition.

“At the moment, there is no clear indication that the former president intends to seek re-election in 2027.

“Like many Nigerians, we have seen the reports in the media, but we have made inquiries and are convinced that he is not in the race.”

Speaking further, the source said, “Former President Jonathan is not just any aspirant; he is a statesman who served this country meritoriously for about six years.

“If he were running, he would be courageous enough to obtain the nomination form himself.

“Even if others obtained it on his behalf, as some have claimed, he would openly participate in the screening process and accept his clearance certificate and nomination as the candidate of any political party.

“The reality is that the former president is not running. Some individuals are merely using his name to advance their own interests and those of their faction or group.

“At the appropriate time, he will clarify the situation. I believe he is simply waiting for the right moment to speak, and he understands that Nigerians are intelligent enough to see through the speculation.”

The source said Jonathan would not be playing hide-and-seek if he were genuinely interested in the race.

“He would publicly declare his intention, identify with a political party, and openly accept its nomination.

“After all, anyone contesting for the presidency is doing so to win. Why, then, would such a person refuse to identify with the party on whose platform he intends to run? There is nothing of that sort. The former president is not running for president in 2027,” he stated.

Another source described the development as a recurring political strategy, noting that during every election cycle, former President Jonathan’s name is linked to presidential ambitions, while the former leader has, for various reasons, refrained from publicly dismissing such speculations.

The source, however, maintained that as far as the 2027 election was concerned, Jonathan had no intention of contesting for the presidency.

He stated, “Is that how someone runs for president? Let’s assume a person like you wants to contest for the presidency of this country, would you remain silent up to this moment?

“Even if you did not personally obtain the nomination form, and someone bought it on your behalf and handed it to you, would you still remain quiet? Would you refuse to submit it, present yourself for screening, or go to collect the party’s flag?

“Let’s assume someone who is not even as politically experienced as former President Goodluck Jonathan is running for president, would such a person fail to make a public declaration? Would there be no structure put in place?”

He added, “The former president himself recently stated that running for president is not like playing a game of Ludo. It requires strategic planning, long-term preparation, implementation, public appearances, consultations, networking, and engagement with people across the country.

“A serious presidential aspirant must consistently communicate their plans, what they intend to do, and how they intend to achieve their goals, while publicly identifying with a political party.

“In recent times, have we seen President Jonathan involved in any of these activities? Absolutely not.”

He said Jonathan, as their principal, did not make such an intention known to them, adding that he did not inform them that he wished to contest or seek re-election.

“I met with him recently, and he never mentioned anything of that nature. In fact, when I jokingly asked him about it, he responded, ‘Under which party?’ and we all laughed.

“The truth is that the Turaki group is taking advantage of its closeness to President Jonathan. Turaki served as Minister of Special Duties under President Jonathan and can rightly be described as one of Jonathan’s loyal associates.

“It appears that some individuals are leveraging that relationship and proximity to use Jonathan’s name in pursuit of their own objectives.

“From my investigation, I understand that Jonathan neither purchased nor filled out any nomination form. Some people simply arranged a form and claimed it was for him to contest. He never completed it, submitted it, or presented himself for screening.

“More importantly, he never made any public declaration of interest. That is why the situation is rather amusing. If he did none of these things personally, it is difficult to understand how others can claim they are doing them on his behalf or by proxy.

“However, politics is politics. In due course, I am confident that a formal statement will be issued to clarify the matter once and for all.”

When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the Turaki-led iNWC, Ini Ememobong, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said Jonathan’s silence was strategic, insisting that the former President was running for the 2027 presidency.

He stated, “You should understand that silence is strategic, just like communication is. Not everyone speaks or acts aggressively.

“Others act using silence. Do you understand? When he was picked as vice president, did he shout to accept? So this character exhibition is clearly in tandem with Jonathan’s usual disposition.

“He has never struggled for public office. He has always been invited to public office. That is what history records for him. So this is not in any way different from the previous path that he has used to ascend to power. Except you proved me wrong.

“So, the former President is our candidate, and until today, the man has not disavowed. All that has happened has been in the open.

“From where we sit and stand, as we have done, we have done our part. So whoever says Jonathan is not running should be willing to be quoted.”

 

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Obi urges issue-based campaigns

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has urged the media to demand issue-based campaigns from politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than allowing character assassination and name-calling to dominate political discourse.

Obi made the call on Friday at the 22nd All Nigeria Editors Conference in Enugu, urging journalists to use their position as managers of information to promote campaigns focused on good governance, unity, security and prosperity.

He said the media should challenge politicians who deviated from issue-based campaigns or attempted to prevent opponents from campaigning.

Obi said, “As we approach the election, I have only one thing I will plead that you include in your discussion. We made a choice to be a democratic country, and that choice is a choice that can help our country to grow.

“It is important that you help us, the politicians, to ensure that as we approach the election, our discussions, our campaigns, everything we do, is strictly based on issues that will bring good governance, unity, security and prosperity to the country.”

The former Anambra State governor also called for an environment conducive for political parties and candidates to campaign freely.

Obi recalled that political opponents were allowed to campaign in Anambra during his tenure as governor, citing visits by former Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu.

He said Fashola campaigned for Chris Ngige, while Obasanjo campaigned for Andy Uba and Kalu for Uche Ekwunife.

According to Obi, the campaigns did not result in confrontations because the people were allowed to make their choices.

“So we need that conducive environment to campaign as a country, to make it work,” he said.

Obi also dismissed reports of a disagreement between him and the Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, describing the governor as his “respected elder brother.”

He said their relationship had remained cordial despite differences over issues concerning the state. He added that he and his wife were godparents to Soludo’s children.

“Me and Soludo are close. As a banker, he was my customer. And we have not changed. If I see him, I greet him, I respect his office he’s the governor,” Obi said.

“So, we’re not quarrelling! And we will never quarrel! If I see him any day, me and him will hug and everything,” he said.

Obi also defended his record on Anambra’s finances, disputing claims about the debt allegedly left by his administration.

He said Anambra’s external debt stood at about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left in March 2014.

Obi further claimed that he left more than $150m in investments for the state when he left office. His position is that development facilities attributed to his administration should be assessed based on their approval, drawdown and repayment records.

Meanwhile, a medical practitioner, Dr Richard Okoye of SaveALife Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, urged Nigerians to pay greater attention to their health amid economic pressures.

Speaking at the conference, Okoye identified stress, hypertension and diabetes as major health concerns and advised Nigerians to undergo regular medical checks even when they felt healthy.

He said untreated hypertension and diabetes could contribute to stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.

Okoye also cautioned against the indiscriminate use of sexual-enhancement drugs and drinks, urging men to pay attention to their cardiovascular and sexual health.

He advised Nigerians to seek appropriate medical care rather than attributing health problems solely to spiritual causes.

The two-day conference, organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, is being held in Enugu under the theme, ‘The Ballot, the Media and the Task of Keeping Democracy Alive’, with a sub-theme focused on detecting and debunking artificial intelligence-generated disinformation ahead of the 2027 election

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Tinubu Is Disconnected From Nigerians – APM

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Anyone who rigs election under me will go to jail — Obi

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Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has vowed to jail anyone found rigging an election under his administration, saying the punishment would apply even where only one vote was involved.

Obi made the declaration in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while outlining his position on electoral integrity, opposition politics and democratic governance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I’ve said it, and I’ll say it again: if I am the serving president of this country, whoever rig elections will be in jail. Even for one vote, you will be in jail,” Obi said

He also pledged that political parties, including opposition parties, would not be harassed under his administration, saying his government would involve them in decisions affecting the country.

“No political party will be harassed; we will support them,” he said.

“We will be working with opposition political parties if there’s a matter of state where we have to take a decision, especially in a situation like we find ourselves now. We will invite all opposition.

“It’s a country, everyone is involved, and I want to involve everybody.

Obi said opposition members would also be involved in government decisions when he travels outside the country.

“I will make sure that even if I have to take foreign trips, opposition members will be involved in decisions, because it’s important.

“It’s our country. For our children, we must build a stable, united, and secure country.”

The NDC candidate also said he would remain accessible to Nigerians and prioritise being physically present in the country.

“It doesn’t matter who is in office. I’m telling you that I will offer that.

“Nobody will look for me and say, ‘Where is Peter?’ I won’t be on holiday; I must be in Nigeria.”

Obi also criticised what he described as restrictions placed on his campaign activities in some states, saying political candidates should be allowed to campaign freely regardless of their opponents’ political affiliations.

He said his appeal was not limited to his own candidacy but was aimed at protecting the democratic space.

“That’s it—to ensure that Nigeria works for the future of our children.”

Obi recalled that, as governor of Anambra State, he allowed political opponents to campaign in the state and provided facilities for them.

“When Governor Fashola of Lagos State told me he was coming to Anambra State, Charles, I gave him my car—it was my convoy that he used to go for that campaign.”

He also recalled accompanying former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he campaigned for another candidate in Anambra State.

“As governor of the state, when President Obasanjo came to campaign for Andy, I went with him.

“He was there telling people, ‘Peter has done well, but this man will do better.’ No problem!”

Obi similarly recalled providing lunch for former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu when he campaigned for Uche Ekwunife.

“After my lunch, standing in front of me with Uche Ekwunife, he told the press people, ‘Peter has done well, but Uche will do better.’

“That’s democracy, because I wanted the people to vote. There was no issue.”

Anambra debt dispute

On the dispute over his record as former Anambra governor, Obi rejected claims that he left the state with $123m in debt, insisting that he did not borrow money from any financial institution during his tenure.

“Let me categorically state again: I, Mr. Peter Obi, did not approach any financial institution to borrow money or issue bonds on behalf of Anambra State in the eight years that I was in government.”

He said the state was not owing salaries, gratuities, pensions, contractors or suppliers whose jobs had been completed, certified and verified when he left office.

Obi also said the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development facilities referenced in the debt claims were concessionary development support obtained by the Federal Government and subsequently on-lent to qualifying states.

He said Anambra’s foreign debt was about $18m when he assumed office and about $30m when he left office in March 2014.

According to Obi, the state’s financial position at the time included more than $150m in dollar-denominated savings invested in bonds, which he said generated about $10m annually.

He argued that even if the debt figure being claimed by the state government were accepted, the funds he left behind would have been sufficient to clear the obligation.

Obi also presented what he described as his handover document, urging ARISE NEWS to verify the figures with the World Bank and Nigerian banks.

“Please publish these documents. I’m urging you, please.

“The World Bank is in Abuja; they can give you the history of the drawdowns. The banks mentioned here are Nigerian banks; you have access to their headquarters. Ask them whether this money was there.

Obi speaks on Soludo, Tinubu

On his relationship with Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Obi said he had no dispute with the governor.

“I don’t have any dispute, talk less of being bitter, with my very respected elder brother, Governor Soludo.

“We remain brothers. He’s the governor of my state, and I respect him.”

Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s absence from Nigeria, saying the President had remained outside the country beyond the period he initially announced.

“The CEO being present is critical at a time of crisis, not delegation.

“Yes, you have a chain of command, but where is the president? Nigerians ought to know.”

Obi rejects reported Kwankwasiyya campaign council

On the Obedient Kwankwasiyya Movement’s reported campaign council, Obi said the group did not have his approval and should operate as a support group rather than a parallel political structure.

“I was not aware, and that’s why I’m disapproving it here.”

The former Anambra governor also expressed openness to discussions on opposition cooperation, including the possibility of a presidential candidate stepping aside as part of efforts to strengthen democratic competition.

“When he comes, I’m not desperate to be president; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. When he comes, it’s a discussion.”

Obi said opposition parties should focus on ensuring free, fair and credible elections, preventing violence and campaigning on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

“What I’m saying is that we should all come together and save democracy, ensure that election is free, fair, and credible, violence-free, and that we campaign on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.”

In August, Obi defended his political record, saying he had never been involved in election rigging, violence, or any form of malpractice throughout his career.

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