Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Minister of Information and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Jerry Gana, has declared that former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, would defeat any candidate from the North in the 2027 presidential election—if he returns to the PDP.
Gana made the statement during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, amid growing speculation about Obi’s possible return to the PDP, despite his recent engagements with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi had left the PDP in May 2022 to join the Labour Party, under which he contested the 2023 presidential election.
Gana said Obi would enjoy massive support from the North if he re-joined the PDP.
“The PDP is on the ground. I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate because our people are very fair-minded and just,” Gana said.
He disclosed that efforts were ongoing to bring Obi back to the PDP fold.
“We are reaching out to Peter Obi. I’m leading a search team, and there are many brilliant people. Peter may be good, but we may even find someone better. So, we are searching.”
Gana also admitted the PDP mishandled Obi’s departure from the party ahead of the 2023 polls.
“We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would have said, ‘Peter, it is now your turn. I’ll give you the vice-presidency,’ but he didn’t.”
On the internal crises rocking the PDP, Gana downplayed their significance, insisting they were confined to a small circle of elites in Abuja and did not reflect the broader mood of the party’s grassroots base.
“Many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organization.
In 1998, as we moved toward the 1999 elections, we were present in every polling unit. We won the presidency, Senate, House of Representatives, and most local governments. We were totally in control.
We restored democracy to Nigeria and re-established civil rule after years of military dictatorship. That’s why our slogan ‘Power to the People’ wasn’t just a phrase—it reflected our foundation.”
He emphasized that the current challenges facing the party are limited and not reflective of its national strength.
“This recent problem is really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond.”
