Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that while Peter Obi is a capable politician, the PDP has a more suitable candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
Gana, however, acknowledged that the former Anambra State governor would likely secure strong support across northern Nigeria if he returned to the PDP.
As reported by VON Digest, Gana has recently intensified calls for Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, to return to the main opposition party. He believes Obi would have a greater chance of unseating the incumbent administration if he contested under the PDP banner.
During an interview on Arise News, Gana expressed confidence that Obi, running on the PDP platform, would outperform any other candidate in the North.
Obi, however, maintains that he remains a committed member of the Labour Party. He has also pledged to continue working with the ADC-led coalition. Notably, Obi left the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his presidential ambition under the Labour Party.
“The PDP has a solid grassroots presence. As a researcher, I rely on data—and in the northern states, Peter Obi, under the PDP, would defeat any opponent. Our people are fair and just,” Gana said.
“We’re reaching out to Peter Obi. I’m leading a search committee, and while Peter is good, we believe the PDP has someone even better. The search continues.
“We made a misstep in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would have said, ‘Peter, it’s your turn; I’ll take the vice-presidency.’ But that didn’t happen.”
Also contributing to the discussion on Thursday, Jacob Mark, a former PDP National Legal Adviser, said Obi is welcome to return to the party if he chooses. Mark emphasized that the PDP remains Obi’s best chance of winning the 2027 presidential election.
