Vanessa 
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has urged party leaders to prioritise Peter Obi’s return to PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. He believes reclaiming the former presidential candidate is crucial for the party’s political revival.
Sowunmi made the call on Friday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. He stressed the need for the PDP to reunite with Obi and harness his political influence.
Obi left the PDP in May 2022. He cited massive bribery of delegates and vote buying during the party’s presidential primary. He also accused a powerful clique within the party of working against his ambition.
Sowunmi said Obi remains a key political force.
“One of our former members, a South-Easterner who felt excluded, Peter Obi, received 6.2 million votes. You lose the election, go to court, and lose again. At least, the court confirmed the defeat,” he said.
“Any serious PDP member should ask: how do we bring Peter back? Especially now that his support base is genuine and organic,” he added.
The PDP has struggled to recover after Atiku Abubakar lost the 2023 election to President Bola Tinubu. The party suspended its former chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, and appointed Ambassador Umar Damagum as acting chairman.
However, efforts to replace Damagum with a substantive chairman have created internal tension. A legal dispute over the National Secretary position between Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye has added to the crisis.
Sowunmi blamed the party’s troubles on poor internal management.
“You can blame opponents to a point,” he said. “But when failure becomes regular, and you show no creativity, you must take responsibility.”
Don’t underestimate Tinubu, Sowunmi warns
Sowunmi also warned his party not to underestimate President Tinubu.
“Many people judge him by his frailty. But I know him. His brain is sharp. Underestimating him is dangerous,” he said.
He criticised PDP’s current strategy.
“It’s painful to watch my party pretend Tinubu is easy to defeat. What do they know that he doesn’t?” he asked.
As 2027 approaches, Sowunmi’s comments reflect growing concern about PDP’s readiness to reclaim national influence.
