Peter Obi on Jonathan: ‘I’m focused on building Nigeria, not who is contesting’

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has dismissed growing speculation surrounding a possible 2027 presidential comeback by former President Goodluck Jonathan, insisting that his attention remains firmly fixed on rebuilding Nigeria.

Obi stated this on Tuesday night after completing a presidential screening exercise conducted by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

The former Labour Party presidential candidate said democracy allows every qualified Nigerian the right to contest elections, stressing that he was not preoccupied with who may eventually join the 2027 race.

“Democracy is about people offering themselves for service and being voted for,” Obi said.

“I’m not in any way going around looking for who is contesting. I’m concentrating on how to build a better Nigeria.”

His remarks come amid increasing political conversations over whether Jonathan may return to frontline politics ahead of the next general election.

Obi also rejected claims that he had emerged as the consensus presidential candidate of the NDC, clarifying that the party’s nomination process remained transparent and open to all interested aspirants.

“How can it be based on consensus? The party opened up the expression of interest forms for people to buy. I bought the form. As the party said, I’m the only one who expressed interest. That’s it,” he explained.

The former governor praised the screening committee chaired by former Ebonyi State governor, Sam Egwu, describing the process as credible, professional and democratic.

“At NDC, we are choosing to do things properly. When we say there is going to be a screening, there is going to be a screening. That is democracy in action,” Obi stated.

In a separate post shared on his official X account, Obi disclosed that the screening exercise lasted more than two and a half hours, during which party officials thoroughly examined his credentials and questioned him on his plans for Nigeria.

According to him, the committee reviewed his degree certificates, NYSC credentials and age declaration documents before eventually clearing him and issuing him the party’s presidential nomination form.

“During the process, I also addressed questions regarding my vision for a new Nigeria and the type of leadership our nation urgently needs right now,” Obi wrote.

He further commended the NDC leadership for what he described as its commitment to internal democracy and due process.