Indications emerged recently that former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, may be considering a return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
There are fears that Obi’s defection to the PDP could destabilize the emerging opposition coalition, which is gaining momentum under the African Democratic Congress, ADC’s platform.
Some watchers now believe that the development poses a major threat to the unity and strength of the opposition bloc.
The speculation gained weight on Monday after former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, said that credible intelligence suggested that Obi was weighing a political comeback to the PDP to contest the party’s presidential ticket in 2027.
Sheriff disclosed this while fielding questions on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme.
“Peter Obi wants to be President. Atiku has been Vice President, and for him, it’s President or nothing,” Sheriff remarked.
Recall that Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate under the PDP in 2019, left the party in 2022 to contest the 2023 presidency under the Labour Party.
DAILY POST reported that a day before Sheriff’s disclosure, a PDP founding member and elder statesman, Prof. Jerry Gana, confirmed that the party was actively reaching out to Obi and other aggrieved former members.
Gana disclosed that although formal negotiations with Obi have not commenced, conversations have begun with individuals close to the former Anambra State governor.
“Yes, why not?” Gana said when asked if the PDP was courting Obi. “He was our member. In fact, if I were the former Vice President, I would have in 2023 said, ‘No, Peter, you were my vice-presidential candidate in 2019. Now, I’ll support you.’ It would have been a strong statement.”
Gana, who leads the PDP delegation tasked with lobbying returnees, said he had personally met with Obi and key figures within his circle. “We are moving step by step,” he noted, suggesting that Obi’s reintegration into the PDP is being carefully planned.
DAILY POST reports that the PDP has already zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a strategic move interpreted by many as an invitation to Obi and other influential southern politicians.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, recently described Obi as “a very, very great capital for any political party,” affirming that “Peter Obi is our product. We want to get him back.”
DAILY POST findings indicate that should Obi rejoin the PDP, the opposition front might fracture, weakening its collective ability to challenge the APC’s dominance.
The ADC-led coalition hinges much of its credibility and voter appeal on Obi’s participation, with the aim of unseating the All Progressives Congress, APC, government.
You cannot risk going back to PDP – ADC warns Obi
Amid the ensuing confusion, Bolaji Abdullahi, the spokesman for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, said that Peter Obi cannot “take the risk” of returning to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Abdullahi while fielding questions on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme insisted that Obi is part of the ADC coalition.
“Regardless of what anybody is saying, it is good to see that it has taken the coming on board of ADC, to get PDP to begin to make some movements.
“Peter Obi, more than anyone else, knows that he cannot take the risk of going to the PDP,” Abdullahi said.
