A pro-Tinubu group in Ondo State, Progressive Network for Tinubu (PNT), has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no real opposition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking during the inauguration of PNT’s local government structures across the 18 LGAs of the state, the group’s Director-General, Olumide Obadele, dismissed reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan might contest in 2027, warning him to stay away from the race to avoid embarrassment.
His comment comes after speculation on social media suggested that Jonathan was considering another presidential run under an undisclosed political party. The rumours also followed a court case filed by a lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi, who is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop Jonathan from contesting in 2027.
Obadele, however, said beyond the legal barriers, Jonathan should protect his legacy and reputation as a respected statesman. According to him, opposition parties like the PDP and ADC are “on life support,” adding that no one running under their platform can defeat President Tinubu.
“I can tell you that Jonathan will not contest. The Constitution is very clear about this. If he insists, he’ll only end up embarrassing himself,” Obadele said confidently.
He added that the 2027 election is already a done deal for the APC, as no opposition party currently has the structure, organisation, or national influence to challenge Tinubu.
“The PDP, Labour Party, and ADC are all weak. None of them has the reach or unity to compete with the ruling APC. As far as I’m concerned, 2027 is sealed,” he said.
Obadele also spoke about the group’s efforts to strengthen Tinubu’s grassroots support, especially in Ondo State, where only 28% of registered voters participated in the last general elections.
He expressed concern about the growing voter apathy, particularly among educated Nigerians who only discuss politics online but fail to vote.
“Our goal is to reawaken the 70% who stayed home last time. We’re engaging communities, youth groups, and local leaders to spread awareness about Asiwaju’s achievements and vision. We want Yoruba land to stand firmly behind him,” he added.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations in Delta State have condemned the lawsuit seeking to bar Jonathan from contesting, describing it as politically motivated and an abuse of the court process.
The Director-General of the Young Nigerian Rights Organisation, Victor Ojei, called the case a “frivolous and baseless attempt” to use the judiciary for political purposes.
In a statement made available to The PUNCH in Asaba, Ojei argued that Jonathan’s first stint as president in 2010 came through a constitutional succession following President Yar’Adua’s death, not through an election, and therefore shouldn’t count as a full term.
“The framers of our Constitution never intended that a lawful transition after the death of a sitting president should count as an elected term,” Ojei said. “Any argument to the contrary is a distortion of both law and logic.”
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He also noted that the lawyer who filed the case had no legal standing to do so, calling it a politically driven distraction.
“The judiciary must not allow itself to be used as a tool of political manipulation,” Ojei added. “Democracy is about inclusion, not silencing potential candidates before they even declare interest.”
He urged the Federal High Court to dismiss the case immediately, stressing that the courts should remain the “last hope of the common man, not a playground for political adventurers.”
