In a bold political forecast that is stirring renewed conversations around the 2027 presidential elections, Prof. Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Information, has declared that Peter Obi, if he returns to the PDP, stands a strong chance of defeating any Northern presidential candidate. Gana made the explosive statement during a live interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, emphasizing that Obi’s popularity in the North would reshape the electoral landscape under the PDP platform.
Peter Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, left the PDP in May 2022 to pursue his ambition under the LP banner. Despite finishing third behind Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP in the 2023 race, Obi gained widespread support, particularly among young voters and in the Southern regions of Nigeria. His political future remains a hot topic, especially amid recent engagements with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and growing rumors of a strategic return to the PDP.
Prof. Gana, while speaking on the chances of the PDP in 2027, asserted that Northern voters are fair-minded and would support Peter Obi if he flies the PDP flag.
“I’m a researcher; I study public opinion,” he said. “In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate. Our people are just and fair. The PDP has strong roots and is still very much on the ground.”
Gana revealed that internal efforts are currently ongoing to persuade Obi to rejoin the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We are reaching out to Peter Obi,” he said. “I’m leading a search team for credible candidates. Peter may be good, but we also believe we may find someone better. So we are keeping our options open, but Obi remains a top consideration.”
He also admitted that the party made strategic errors in 2023, particularly in its handling of Obi’s departure.
“We made a mistake,” Gana confessed. “If I were Atiku Abubakar, I would have said, ‘Peter, it’s your turn. I’ll give you the Vice President slot.’ But that didn’t happen, and we lost a vital opportunity.”
Peter Obi’s possible return to PDP for 2027 elections has sparked serious debate among political stakeholders, especially with rising dissatisfaction over economic and security challenges under the current APC-led administration. Analysts say that if Obi aligns with a major political platform like the PDP, his chances of national success would significantly improve, especially in the North where he has historically faced challenges gaining traction.
Addressing concerns over internal party crises, Prof. Gana dismissed suggestions that the PDP is in disarray. According to him, the recent party tensions are isolated to a few political elites in Abuja and do not reflect the mood of the party’s grassroots structure across Nigeria.
“Many have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots party. In 1998, we were present at every polling unit. We won the presidency, Senate, and House in 1999 because we were truly a people-powered party,” he recalled. “What’s happening now is limited to a few individuals; the base remains strong and united.”
Gana further emphasized the historic role of the PDP in restoring democracy to Nigeria after years of military rule, adding that the slogan “Power to the People” was not just rhetoric but a guiding principle for the party’s original vision.
As the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape, the prospect of Peter Obi returning to the PDP to challenge Northern contenders has emerged as a potentially game-changing scenario. With renewed talks of realignment, voter fatigue under APC rule, and a resurgent PDP base, the battle for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027 is already gathering momentum.