(DDM) – Tanko Yunusa, a senior Labour Party member and staunch supporter of Peter Obi, has called on former President Goodluck Jonathan to endorse Obi for the 2027 presidential election.
DDM gathered that Yunusa’s demand followed remarks made by former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, crediting Obi as the only governor who stood by Jonathan during the politically turbulent 2014–2015 election cycle.
In an interview with Daily Trust TV, Yunusa recalled Amaechi’s revelation, stressing that the former Anambra State governor’s loyalty to Jonathan during that period was unmatched.
According to Yunusa, the statement from Amaechi was significant because it came from a political rival who nonetheless acknowledged Obi’s rare display of support.
Amaechi reportedly stated that even when powerful political forces sought to remove Jonathan from office, Obi remained steadfast in defending him.
Yunusa argued that this level of commitment should not be forgotten.
He insisted that Jonathan had a moral responsibility to reciprocate by publicly rallying behind Obi in the forthcoming presidential contest.
“This is the time President Jonathan should repay that gesture,” Yunusa declared during the interview.
He further urged Jonathan to use his influence to mobilise national support for Obi’s 2027 bid.
DDM notes that such calls underscore the complex web of political loyalty and repayment often at play in Nigeria’s electioneering.
Political analysts have observed that while endorsements alone do not guarantee electoral victory, Jonathan’s backing could significantly boost Obi’s chances, particularly in the South-South and South-East regions.
Yunusa’s comments also highlight the unusual nature of Amaechi’s statement, given the historical rivalry between him and Obi’s political allies.
Observers say Amaechi’s acknowledgment of Obi’s past loyalty to Jonathan may reshape certain political alliances ahead of the next general election.
The 2014–2015 period was a contentious chapter in Nigerian politics, marked by party defections, internal wrangling within the ruling party, and the eventual defeat of Jonathan by Muhammadu Buhari.
Despite the political storms, Obi, then serving as governor of Anambra State, reportedly maintained a cordial and supportive relationship with Jonathan.
Yunusa believes that such steadfastness should serve as the foundation for Jonathan’s political positioning in 2027.
As Nigeria approaches another electoral season, DDM observes that calls for strategic alliances and historical paybacks are expected to intensify.
Political watchers will be closely following whether Jonathan responds to Yunusa’s appeal and whether Amaechi’s comments signal deeper shifts in the nation’s political landscape.