Peter Obi Can Defeat Any Northern Rival in 2027 — Gana

Jerry Gana

As the 2027 general elections begin to dominate Nigeria’s political conversations, a powerful voice from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has declared that Peter Obi, if he returns to the PDP, has what it takes to defeat any candidate from Northern Nigeria in the upcoming presidential race.

Gana, a respected PDP founding member and former Minister of Information, made this bold assertion during a recent appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time. His remarks come amidst increasing speculation about Obi’s political future and possible return to the PDP despite his ongoing engagements with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and his former presidential bid under the Labour Party in 2023.

In a country often divided along ethnic and regional lines, Gana’s confidence in Obi’s cross-regional appeal is striking.

“The PDP is on the ground. I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate because our people are fair-minded and just,” Gana said.

According to him, the PDP’s presence and influence in Northern Nigeria remain strong, and voters are becoming increasingly issue-focused and less bound by regional loyalty.

Professor Gana confirmed ongoing efforts to woo Obi back to the PDP fold. While acknowledging that Obi is a strong candidate, he noted that the PDP is conducting a broader talent search.

“We are reaching out to Peter Obi. I’m leading a search team, and there are many brilliant people. Peter may be good, but we may have somebody better so we are searching,” he said.

Gana didn’t shy away from admitting the PDP’s strategic error in the 2023 elections particularly in how it handled Obi’s departure.

“We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would have said, ‘Peter, it is now your turn. I will give you the vice presidency,’ but he didn’t,” he remarked, referencing the PDP’s flagbearer Atiku Abubakar.

Obi left the PDP in May 2022 after failing to secure the presidential ticket and went on to run under the Labour Party, gaining massive support among youth and urban voters.

Addressing the internal crisis within the PDP, Gana dismissed it as an elite-driven problem limited to a few influential figures in Abuja.

“This recent problem was really among a few elites in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond,” he said. “Many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organization.”

He recalled the PDP’s political dominance at its inception in 1998 and during Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, when it won across the presidency, Senate, House of Representatives, and most local governments.

“We restored democracy to Nigeria and re-established civil rule after years of military dictatorship. When we said ‘power to the people,’ we meant it.”

As Nigeria inches closer to 2027, the political terrain remains fluid. Gana’s remarks are not only a testament to Obi’s growing political capital but also a signal that powerful factions within the PDP may be preparing for a major comeback strategy possibly with Obi at the helm.

If the PDP successfully reconciles its internal differences and welcomes Peter Obi back into its ranks, the 2027 election could see a powerful realignment capable of challenging entrenched regional blocs and breaking the current political deadlock.

Do you believe Peter Obi would have a better chance of winning the presidency under the PDP than he did with the Labour Party? Why or why not? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #Obi2027Debate and join the conversation shaping Nigeria’s political future.