With two years to the 2027 presidential election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grappling with internal divisions over moves by some individuals to bring back former President Goodluck Jonathan and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The PDP is today (Thursday) inaugurating both its National Working Committee (NWC) Zoning Committee and the 2027 Election Zoning Committee in Abuja.
Some senior members of the NWC and National Executive Committee (NEC), speaking anonymously, questioned why Jonathan, who left the party after the 2015 elections, and Obi, whose defection to the Labour Party they said hurt PDP’s 2023 performance, should now seek a return. Others, however, welcomed the possibility but stressed that the party already has strong presidential prospects, including Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed.
Sources within the party’s leadership confirmed that there has been no official outreach to Jonathan or Obi, with any engagement so far being on a personal, not party, basis.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba announced the Zoning Committee’s inauguration, adding that the party has “a sufficient pool of credible presidential contenders.”
The APC’s Director of Publicity Bala Ibrahim dismissed the PDP’s preparations, insisting that regardless of its candidate, “President Bola Tinubu will secure victory” in 2027.
The PDP recently emerged from months of internal crisis, during which prominent members, including former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, ex-Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, defected to the APC or the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
At its 101st NEC meeting on July 24, the PDP resolved to hold a National Elective Convention on November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, to elect 19 new NWC members.
Governor Bala Mohammed, also chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, recently met with Jonathan in Bayelsa and Obi in Bauchi to discuss their possible return. Other leaders, including ex-Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido and former Minister of Information Jerry Gana, have publicly urged both men to rejoin.
Jonathan’s eligibility remains a contentious issue due to the 2018 constitutional amendment that limits anyone sworn in to complete another’s presidential term to only one elected term.
While Obi insists he remains with the Labour Party in alliance with the ADC, Jonathan has neither confirmed nor denied plans to return.
A PDP NWC member told The Punch, “Well, the PDP has not officially reached out to these people. But some individuals are discussing with them, and not on behalf of the party.PDP remains the only genuine political party that has the people at its center… However, the PDP will receive both Jonathan and Obi with mixed feelings, because they dumped the party at a critical time when the party needed them… So, while we welcome as many Nigerians as possible, we will receive Jonathan and Obi… with the hope that they will submit themselves to the party’s rules and will not come to dictate to the party.”
Another NWC member accused Jonathan’s backers of pursuing selfish interests and questioned Obi’s willingness to “submit himself to PDP rules.”
“They will be welcomed into the party if they want to return, but they must be ready to submit themselves to party processes… There will be no preferential treatment for anyone.”
Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor partly blamed Jonathan for abandoning the party after 2015 but called for unity:
“Yes, he shirked certain responsibilities… But we are not in a position now to apportion blame… every hand, including Obi, should be welcomed.”
Osadolor argued Jonathan is not the party’s only viable option, citing Makinde’s performance, “I am sure the likes of Governor Bala are wooing him because they feel he will be easier to sell… But… he is not the only person we can deploy come 2027.”
Former PDP National Secretary Ibrahim Tsauri stressed that Jonathan “has always remained in the PDP” and would be a strong contender if the ticket is zoned south.
“But has Goodluck Jonathan ever told you that he has left the PDP?… Now, PDP is the only political party in Nigeria that has a structure everywhere from polling stations to the national level… Obi and Jonathan will be a plus to PDP’s strength.”
Ologunagba maintained that the party’s focus is on the Ibadan convention and warned against disloyalty, “Membership of the party is voluntary… What we will not take is disloyalty… We demand 100 per cent loyalty from our members… This is the right time to come back… But what the party will not take is disloyalty. It is going to be total, and we demand it.”
In response, APC’s Bala Ibrahim said, “PDP is a struggling party; it is in the intensive care unit, so it should not be taken seriously. No matter who they present… the APC candidates will defeat them.”
