Renowned human rights activist and legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju has asserted that former President Goodluck Jonathan remains the sole Southern candidate with the potential to unseat President Bola Tinubu in a future election. During an appearance on Arise Television, Adeyanju downplayed the chances of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, citing a lack of trust among Northern voters regarding Obi’s pledge to serve only one term if elected.
Adeyanju’s remarks followed Obi’s recent declaration that he would be open to a single-term presidency before transferring power to a Northern leader. While Obi, alongside ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, is seen as a key figure in a possible opposition alliance, none have formally announced their presidential ambitions.
“I’ve stated this before, and I’ll say it again—if a Southerner is to run, Jonathan is the only one who can realistically defeat Tinubu,” Adeyanju emphasized. He pointed to Jonathan’s limited tenure appeal as a decisive factor. On Obi’s prospects, he added, “Even if he makes a sacred vow, Northern voters won’t trust him enough to support him.”
Adeyanju further proposed that Atiku could strengthen the opposition’s chances by endorsing a younger Northern candidate instead of running again. “Leadership isn’t about perpetual candidacy; sometimes, backing a fresh face is the smarter move,” he noted.
The discussion underscores the intricate balance of regional allegiances and electoral tactics as Nigeria gears up for its next political contests.
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