By Emeka Blast 
Adeyanju Says Tinubu Unbeatable by Any Southern Candidate Except Jonathan
Prominent Nigerian lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has sparked heated debate with his bold claim that no Southern candidate can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election except former President Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Adeyanju argued that Tinubu’s political machinery and regional influence make him a formidable force, but Jonathan’s unique appeal could pose a serious challenge.
“Tinubu has consolidated power in the South and parts of the North. No Southern candidate—whether from PDP, Labour Party, or anywhere else—has the clout to unseat him, except Goodluck Jonathan,” Adeyanju stated. He cited Jonathan’s national recognition, his 2011-2015 presidency, and his enduring popularity in the South-South and parts of the North as key factors. “Jonathan is the only Southerner who can pull the kind of votes needed to rival Tinubu’s base,” he added.
Adeyanju’s remarks come amid growing political realignments following the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the defection of key figures, including Atiku Abubakar, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He dismissed other Southern contenders like Peter Obi, suggesting Obi’s Labour Party lacks the structure to compete nationally, and criticized the PDP’s internal crises as a barrier to producing a viable candidate. Adeyanju also pointed to Jonathan’s recent silence on Parn politics as a strategic advantage, noting that the former president has not publicly declared his 2027 intentions.
Jonathan, who lost to Buhari in 2015, has remained a low-profile elder statesman, but his potential candidacy has been speculated upon since Tinubu’s 2023 victory. Adeyanju claimed Jonathan’s “gentlemanly” exit and cross-regional appeal could disrupt Tinubu’s hold on the Southwest and northern alliances, especially as Buhari’s CPC faction drifts toward the ADC.
The statement has ignited controversy on X, with some users praising Adeyanju’s analysis, citing Jonathan’s diplomatic reputation, while others accused him of underestimating Tinubu’s grip on the APC’s political machine. An APC spokesperson, Felix Morka, responded, “President Tinubu’s transformative policies are unmatched. No candidate, Southern or otherwise, will outshine his record in 2027.”
