PDP chieftain Austin Okai has dismissed speculations about former President Goodluck Jonathan making a comeback in 2027, saying the party lacks the structure to deliver him to victory. He argued that many PDP bigwigs are compromised, working with APC behind the scenes, and that only Bala Mohammed openly supports Jonathan among PDP governors. According to Okai, Jonathan should protect his integrity and forget the presidential race, as the South-South is already leaning towards APC while the North remains politically divided.
Okai stressed that the only way to defeat President Tinubu is for all opposition figures to unite behind a single candidate, similar to the APC’s coalition strategy in 2014. He warned that if Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Jonathan, and Amaechi all run separately, victory against the incumbent would be impossible. He also noted that Obi may lose the Labour Party ticket and currently has no solid political platform.
Responding to claims that Atiku Abubakar’s ambition is the cause of opposition disunity, Okai defended Atiku’s right to contest as many times as he wants, likening him to Donald Trump’s persistence in U.S. politics. He emphasized that elections are competitions, and those opposed to Atiku should defeat him at the polls rather than demand his withdrawal.
On governance, Okai condemned the harassment of activists and journalists under the guise of the cybercrime act. While urging journalists to verify reports and activists to exercise caution, he called on the government to respect freedom of information and stop suppressing dissenting voices in Nigeria’s democracy.
