A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has declared that while former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is a strong political figure, the PDP has an even more capable candidate in mind for the 2027 presidential election.
Gana made the remark during an interview on Arise News, where he also stressed that Obi’s chances of winning the northern part of Nigeria would increase significantly if he were to return to 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,” he said.
The elder statesman has in recent weeks renewed his call for Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), to rejoin the PDP. Gana believes the main opposition party provides Obi with a better platform to mount a serious challenge against the current administration in 2027.
“We are reaching out to Peter Obi. Because I’m leading a search team and there are many brilliant people. Peter may be good, but we have somebody better. So, we are searching,” he added.
Reflecting on the events leading up to the 2023 election, Gana said a major political opportunity had been missed.
“We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would say, ‘Peter, it is now your turn; I would give you a vice-president,’ but he didn’t,” Gana lamented.
Obi, who left the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his presidential ambitions under the Labour Party, has maintained his membership in LP.
He has also been working in alignment with the ADC-led coalition, although he has not ruled out future political alliances.
“I’m still a member of the Labour Party,” Obi said recently, reaffirming his current political position.
Also speaking on the matter, Jacob Mark, a former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, said Obi is welcome to return if he so chooses.
He argued that aligning with the PDP would give Obi the best chance at clinching the presidency in 2027.
“The PDP is the best bet for Obi to win the 2027 presidential election,” Mark asserted.
