By MUHAMMED DANBABA
Jonathan offers Obi ministerial slot
ABUJA, Nigeria — Dumebi Kachikwu, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has made explosive allegations, claiming that former President Goodluck Jonathan offered Peter Obi—a former Labour Party candidate—a position as Coordinating Minister of the Economy in exchange for Obi withdrawing from the 2027 presidential race to back Jonathan’s candidacy.
Kachikwu revealed this development during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, where he further claimed that Northern political interests orchestrated Jonathan’s entry into the contest to diminish Southern influence in national politics.
Alleged Political Maneuver: Southern Influence vs Northern Strategy
Kachikwu asserted it was a calculated ploy:
“In order to weaken the South, they have now drafted in former President Jonathan into the race, who is alleged to be offering Peter Obi the position of Coordinating Minister of the Economy for him to support his ambition.”
He noted that Obi was also told he would struggle to secure Northern votes due to his Igbo ethnicity:
“A Peter Obi has been told in very clear terms that he will never get northern votes as an Ibo man and as such he should accept to be Atiku’s running mate.”
Southern Aspirants in the Crosshairs of Northern Elites
Kachikwu accused Atiku Abubakar and select Northern elites of monopolizing political power without addressing pressing issues like illiteracy and poverty:
“They use the weapons of region, religion, tongue, tribe and poverty as they convince millions of poor Northerners that a southern President Tinubu hates them and is the cause of their poverty.”
ADC Internal Dispute: Kachikwu Challenges Legitimacy of Party Leaders
Beyond the Jonathan-Obi revelations, Kachikwu also disputed the legitimacy of those claiming leadership of the ADC, calling them impostors. He affirmed his intention to recontest on the party’s platform in 2027 and branded their takeover as unconstitutional.
Why This Matters
| Issue | Why It’s Significant |
|---|---|
| Influence & Strategy | Implies tactical deals to sway electoral outcomes and suppress Southern candidacies |
| Ethnicity & Politics | Highlights the role of ethnic perception in voter dynamics and coalition negotiations |
| Opposition Cohesion | ADC’s internal discord weakens unified opposition strategies for the 2027 election |
| Public Perception | Accusations could erode trust in political processes and fuel electoral cynicism |
Conclusion: Political Chessplay Ahead of 2027
Kachikwu’s allegations suggest a high-stakes interplay of power, ethnicity, and regional dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections. If true, the reported offer to Peter Obi is a strategic attempt to reshape the electoral field in favor of Jonathan. Concurrently, fractures within the ADC may hobble opposition unity at a pivotal moment.
With 2027 just over the horizon, these claims could intensify debates about fairness, regional equity, and the underlying motivations of political actors. Whether Obi, Jonathan, or the ADC respond to these allegations may heavily influence the opposition’s cohesion and effectiveness.
