By Ayo Ayodele
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed that it is in discussions with former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party (LP) stalwart, Peter Obi, over the 2027 presidential election.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, told reporters at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja that Obi is among a pool of potential presidential candidates, which also includes some of the party’s governors.
He, however, declined to comment on speculations about talks with former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Ologunagba also revealed that the party had rejected conditions allegedly given by Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, including his demand that the South-South be excluded from upcoming congresses and that the re-election of Chief Dan Orbih as Zonal Chairman be upheld. Instead, the party will continue to recognise Elder Emma Ogidi-led South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee.
Obi, who governed Anambra for eight years under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019 before joining the LP to contest the 2023 presidential election. He came third behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar.
The PDP spokesman stressed that the party remains committed to reclaiming legislative seats lost to defections and will enforce its constitution against members working for rival parties. He added that reconciliation efforts are ongoing at multiple levels but warned that “loyalty must be 100%.”