Prof. Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Information, has asserted that if Peter Obi rejoins the PDP, he would be capable of defeating any Northern candidate in the 2027 presidential election.
Gana made this assertion during an interview on Kogitribune on Wednesday, amid ongoing speculation regarding Obi’s possible return to the PDP, despite his recent involvement with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, departed the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his campaign under the LP.
“The PDP has a strong presence. As a researcher, I gather opinions, and I believe that in the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP would defeat any candidate, as our people are fair-minded and just,” Gana stated.
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to facilitate Obi’s return to the PDP. “We are reaching out to Peter Obi. I’m leading a search team, and while Peter may be good, we believe we have someone even better. So, we are actively searching,” he noted.
Gana acknowledged that the PDP mishandled Obi’s departure ahead of the 2023 elections. “We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would have said, ‘Peter, it’s your turn now; I’ll offer you the vice-presidency,’ but that didn’t happen,” he explained.
Regarding the recent internal crises within the party, Gana emphasized that they primarily involve “a few elites in Abuja” and do not represent the sentiments of the party’s wider base across the country.
He remarked, “I must admit that many people have overlooked the fact that the PDP was established as a Grassroots organization.”
“In 1998, we were established, and as we approached the 1999 elections, we were present in every polling unit, as we were the true victors of that first election.
“Many have forgotten that the PDP secured the majority of local governments; in the presidential elections, we won the presidency, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.
“We had complete control, and we took great pride in restoring democracy and re-establishing civil rule in Nigeria.
“After years of military rule, we successfully ended that period through democratic means, which underscores the PDP’s foundation as a grassroots party.”
“That’s why when we said ‘power to the people,’ we truly meant it, as that has always been our principle.
“So, when the recent issues arose, they were largely confined to a small group of elites here in Abuja and did not extend beyond that.”
