A pro-President Bola Tinubu organisation, the Progressive Network for Tinubu (PNT) in Ondo State, has declared that the President faces no major opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The group also cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan against returning to the race, warning that doing so would “end in embarrassment.”
This followed viral social media reports suggesting that Jonathan might contest the 2027 poll under a yet-to-be-announced political platform. A legal practitioner, Johnmary Jideobi, had on Monday filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to restrain Jonathan from participating in the election.
Speaking during the inauguration of local government structures across the 18 LGAs of Ondo State, the PNT Director-General, Mr. Olumide Obadele, said that beyond legal restrictions, Jonathan should uphold his reputation as a statesman by staying out of the contest.
According to him, opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are “on life support,” insisting that no candidate from those platforms, including Jonathan, can defeat Tinubu.
Obadele said, “I can tell you that Jonathan will not run at the end of the day. The Constitution is clear about it, and there’s no need to twist it. If he insists, he will only end up embarrassed and rubbished.”
He further described the 2027 election as “a done deal” for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that opposition parties lack the capacity and national appeal to unseat President Tinubu.
“Political parties such as the PDP, Labour Party and ADC are in the ICU and lack the organisation and national appeal needed to challenge the ruling APC. I do not think any opposition party in Nigeria today can say it wants to run against Asiwaju. For me, 2027 is a done deal,” he said.
On mobilisation efforts, Obadele said the PNT was working to deepen grassroots participation in Ondo State, noting that only 28 per cent of registered voters took part in the last general elections.
“Our goal is to awaken the remaining 70 per cent of voters who stayed home during the last polls. We’re engaging communities, civil groups and youth organisations to enlighten them about Asiwaju’s leadership and achievements. We want Yoruba land to stand solidly behind him,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil society organisations in Delta State have condemned the lawsuit against Jonathan, describing it as politically motivated and an abuse of the judicial process.
The Director-General of the Young Nigerian Rights Organisation, Mr. Victor Ojei, called for the immediate dismissal of the case, describing it as “a politically motivated distraction and a gross abuse of judicial process.”
He said, “The suit, which seeks to bar Dr. Jonathan from contesting the 2027 presidential election, is not only legally baseless but also morally wrong and contrary to the spirit of democracy.
“Dr. Jonathan’s assumption of office in 2010 followed the tragic passing of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua — a constitutional transition rather than an election. His initial tenure was incomplete and constitutionally distinct from a full presidential term.”
Ojei further argued that the case lacks locus standi, as the plaintiff has no legal authority to file it.
“The individual who filed the suit neither represents any institution of state nor has suffered any direct injury that warrants judicial intervention. It is a speculative petition driven by political interests rather than constitutional principles,” he said.
He urged the judiciary to protect its integrity and dismiss the case, warning against the “weaponisation of the courts for political persecution.”
“To attempt to silence a citizen’s political right before he has even declared interest in the race is not only unconstitutional but a dangerous precedent for our democracy,” he added.
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