PDP Courts Peter Obi For 2027 Presidential Bid In Strategic Move.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is actively engaging with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to bring him back into its fold ahead of the 2027 general elections, according to Abduljabbar Rufai, a two-time member of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council. Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Rufai described the discussions as a strategic effort to strengthen the party’s position against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and recapture its strongholds in the Southeast and South-South regions.
Rufai highlighted Obi’s significant electoral impact in the 2023 polls, where he secured over six million votes, primarily from the Southeast, a traditional PDP bastion. “Leaders of the PDP recently visited Peter Obi, and we believe his return to the party he once called home would be highly strategic and impactful,” Rufai stated. He expressed confidence that Obi’s return could be a “game-changer” for the PDP, boosting its prospects by leveraging his widespread popularity and the support of the ‘Obidient’ movement, particularly among younger voters.
The move comes as part of the PDP’s broader strategy to unify its ranks and resolve internal disputes before its November 2025 national convention, where a new National Working Committee will be elected to steer the party towards victory. Rufai acknowledged the party’s ongoing challenges, including defections and internal power struggles, but remained optimistic about reconciliation efforts. “We are 16 or 17 months away from the general election, and we aim to appease all aggrieved members before the year ends,” he said.
Rufai also took aim at the APC, pointing to speculations that President Bola Tinubu might replace Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate in 2027. He warned that such a move could cost the APC support in the Northeast, where it won only Borno State in 2023, Shettima’s home state. “If Tinubu drops Shettima, he risks losing the entire Northeast, presenting a significant opportunity for the PDP,” Rufai noted.
In addition to the talks with Obi, the PDP is exploring alliances with other prominent southern figures, as confirmed by Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the party. Speaking on Arise TV, Gana suggested that Obi’s return could enhance the PDP’s appeal in northern Nigeria, stating, “In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate, because our people are very fair-minded.” The party’s Anambra State chapter has also issued a formal call for Obi’s return, arguing that coalition politics may not deliver the desired outcome in 2027.
Rufai further announced his intention to contest for the PDP’s National Youth Leader position at the upcoming convention, pledging to energise the party’s youth wing and create platforms for young people to enter governance. “My aspiration is rooted in conviction, not mere ambition,” he said, emphasising his commitment to empowering the next generation of PDP members.
As Nigeria’s political landscape shifts ahead of 2027, the PDP’s efforts to woo Obi signal a determined push to consolidate opposition forces. With Obi’s proven electoral strength and the PDP’s established national structure, a successful reunion could reshape the political contest, offering Nigerians a formidable alternative to the ruling party.