Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, stands a strong chance of defeating any opponent in Nigeria’s northern states if he rejoins the PDP and runs for president.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana remarked, “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.”
Obi, who contested the 2023 general election under the Labour Party, had earlier resigned from the PDP in May 2022.
Recalling the PDP’s origin and national impact, Gana emphasized the party’s grassroots appeal and foundational role in Nigeria’s return to democracy.
“I must confess that many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed and then, moving to the elections in 1999, we were in every polling unit, because we are the ones who really won the first election,” he said.
He continued, “Many people have forgotten that the PDP won most of the local governments. When it came to the presidential elections, we won the presidency, we won the Senate, and we won the House. We were totally in control, and that is why we were very delighted that we restored democracy to Nigeria and re‑established civil rule.
“Because for a number of years there was military rule, but we successfully terminated that in a very democratic way, so the PDP was really as it were, a grassroots party. That’s why when we said ‘power to the people’, we meant it because that was what it was, and it has been like that.”
Addressing concerns over internal rifts in the PDP, Gana dismissed them as exaggerated.
“So when this recent problem happened, it was really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Gana also spoke about rotational leadership and party zoning arrangements.
“In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation,” he added.
Gana served as Minister of Information and Cooperation from 1999 to 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo and played a key role during Nigeria’s transition to democratic governance.
