The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has begun high-level consultations ahead of a fresh bid for the presidency in 2027, with an announcement on his political platform expected in November.

It was learnt that Obi’s recent meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja was to seek his support and dissuade him from joining the 2027 race.

Multiple sources also noted that Obi later briefed former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the outcome of the Jonathan meeting while seeking his continued backing.

A senior insider in Obi’s camp said the former Anambra governor is determined to run and is working to secure the endorsement of influential political figures.

“His meeting with Jonathan was to appeal to him not to run but instead to support him.

He believes Jonathan’s support would be a major boost for his chances. Afterwards, he met Obasanjo to brief him and to deepen consultations,” the source said.

The ally added that Obi’s official declaration in November would clarify whether he would remain in the Labour Party or switch to the African Democratic Congress, a coalition platform recently embraced by some of his supporters.

Another insider revealed that Obi is also planning meetings with former heads of state and traditional rulers before his November declaration.

“He still belongs to the Labour Party for now, but in the coming days he will also meet General Ibrahim Babangida, General T.Y. Danjuma, General Yakubu Gowon, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and others,” the source disclosed.

When contacted, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, described Obi’s engagements with former leaders as “friendly consultations.”

He maintained that Obi remains in the Labour Party but confirmed that formal clarification on the ADC coalition would be made in November.

“These are regular meetings between old friends and statesmen. Obi is still a member of the Labour Party, and any decision about his political platform will be announced in November after full consultations,” Tanko said.

Tanko urged Obidient Movement members to remain active, mobilize support, and keep promoting Obi’s agenda.

“Everyone should continue to speak about what Peter Obi will do for Nigeria in lifting people out of poverty, improving security, health, and the economy. That’s our focus,” he said.

On September 12, Obi disclosed on his official X handle that he met Jonathan in Abuja, describing him as “a dear elder brother, statesman, and leader,” while noting that they held a “fruitful closed-door meeting on the state of the nation.”

Days later, he was also seen in Abeokuta meeting with Obasanjo, one of his most prominent backers during the 2023 campaign.

Jonathan, who led Nigeria from 2010 to 2015, has recently gained prominence as a mediator in conflict resolution across Africa.

However, speculation has grown that he may return to contest in 2027 under the Peoples Democratic Party, a rumour he has neither confirmed nor denied.

Reacting, the All Progressives Congress dismissed Obi’s consultations as inconsequential.

The party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said Nigerians were satisfied with President Bola Tinubu’s performance and that Obi would face another defeat in 2027.

“There is nothing new Obi is doing that he didn’t do in 2023 when he was defeated. All these leaders he is consulting, he has met them before. At the end of the day, he was defeated then, and we are confident he will be defeated again,” Ibrahim said.

He added, “This is based on performance and the confidence Nigerians have in our party. The indices show we are delivering on our promises, and we will continue until we fully renew the people’s hope.” (The PUNCH, but headline rejigged)