A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has asserted that Northern Nigeria would be more inclined to support former President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s presidential candidate in 2027, rather than backing Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer, Peter Obi.
Sani made this known during an interview on Daily Politics, a current affairs programme aired by Trust TV on Saturday.
Responding to growing speculation around the PDP’s alleged overtures to Peter Obi and the potential return of Jonathan to the presidential race, Sani argued that the North would logically favour Jonathan, whose constitutional limitation restricts him to a single four-year term.
“While Peter Obi has built a reputation for integrity, we must assess the political implications more pragmatically,” Sani said. “Between someone making a verbal promise and someone who, by law, cannot serve beyond four years, which would you rather trust?”
Sani, who previously served as the media aide to former Vice President Namadi Sambo, emphasised that Jonathan’s legal obligation to serve only one more term offers the North a strategic and predictable transition.
He stated, “With Jonathan, the North is assured of power returning within four years. Obi, on the other hand, is relying on a personal commitment — and promises can either be kept or broken. For the North, Goodluck Jonathan remains the most viable and secure choice.”
Sani’s remarks come amid ongoing debate within the PDP regarding zoning, alliances, and the strategic recalibration needed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
