August 03, (THEWILL) — After overcoming its leadership crisis, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, appears to be in a hurry to launch into the politics of 2027. Its committees, namely the National Reconciliation Committee, led by former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; National Disciplinary Committee led by Chief Tom Ikimi and the seven-man post-National Executive Committee, NEC, reconciliation committee led by ex-President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, have since claimed successes in their reconciliation efforts, though some challenges still loom ahead of the National Convention of the party fixed for November, 2025 at Ibadan, Capital of Oyo State.
Although the Ibadan convention was part of a decision to accommodate the interests of the aggrieved parties in the crisis over the office of National Secretary, which led to the return of embattled Senator Samuel Anyanwu as national scribe, the camp of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is said to be uncomfortable with the Ibadan deal.
Sources within the PDP say that Wike and his allies fear that Governor Seyi Makinde has perfected plans to position himself for the presidential candidacy of the party in 2027.
The question of who becomes the party’s presidential candidate has become more poised because of its decision to zone the ticket to the South, a resolution that analysts say eventually forced the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, two times presidential candidate of the party in 2019 and 2023, to resign.
Atiku Abubakar’s resignation coincided with the long- standing demands of the Wike group, but, unfortunately, it has become a source of worry for the group because Makinde looks poised to steal the show.
Besides, another group that is looking beyond Wike and Makinde, has been scheming to draft one-time member and Labour Party Presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi into the PDP. Led by a founding member of the party, Prof. Jerry Gana, the group believes that only Obi stands the chance for the PDP to make the desired impact in the 2027 presidential contest.
Prof Gana contends that the former Anambra State Governor would defeat any contender in Nigeria’s northern states if he contested on the PDP platform.
Gana said, “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 very fairminded.”
THEWILL recalls that Obi resigned from the PDP in May 2022 to lead the Labour Party during the 2023 elections.
According to Gana, the grassroots base of the PDP, following its 16 years in office during which it enjoyed unrivalled dominance at all levels of governance in the country, is still yet to wane even as it contends with the same pedigree of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC.
He said, “I must confess that many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed and then, moving to the elections in 1999, we were in every polling unit, because we are the ones who really won the first election. Many people have forgotten that the PDP won most of the local governments. When it came to the presidential elections, we won the presidency, we won the Senate, and we won the House. We were totally in control and that is why we were very delighted that we restored democracy to Nigeria and reestablished civil rule.”
According to him, the recent party conflict was a mere show by a few Abuja-based members of the elite with no significant impact on the grassroots base of the PDP.
According to the former Minister of Information and Orientation, from 1999–2003 under President Obasanjo, the recent zoning of the presidential ticket to the South has added more fire power to the party.
“In tune with this patriotic wisdom of the founding fathers, we urge all our leaders to support the strategy of bringing out our presidential candidate for 2027 from the southern states. Such a strategy will not only ensure victory at the polls, but promote justice, fairness and equity. In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation.”
However, Obi has denied any form of allegiance or support for the PDP. In a statement by an aide, he said there was no plan to join the PDP. Rather he reaffirmed his allegiance to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the coalition that he alongside Abubakar and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai championed to fruition.
Speaking in Abuja, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, said, “Peter Obi has been unequivocal in his position in the ongoing coalition and didn’t need anyone to put words into his mouth. He has remained focused on his mission but would not accept anybody attributing a statement to him just to satisfy their devious agenda. The media office wishes, therefore, to urge the public to disregard any statement purported to come from him outside his media office or his official handle.”
Still, Makinde who had earlier said he was perfect for the job but was still consulting, has made it quite clear from his recent outings that he has made up his mind to go for the presidency on the platform of the party. During a recent courtesy visit to the incoming Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, Governor Makinde solicited support from kingmakers present at Ladoja’s residence.
Led by Ladoja, all the kingmakers present responded positively to the governor’s request and prayed for him to succeed in his presidential ambition.
With the PDP’s stand on zoning, Makinde’s Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed who had been nursing a presidential ambition on the platform of the party, may have to take a bow. What is still unclear is how Wike and his group, comprising former Abia governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Benue governor, Samuel Ortom; and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi- would react to the new development.
Makinde was once a member of this group, then known as G-5, which opposed the party and worked against its presidential candidate in the 2023 election because of the zoning formula.
What is clear is that with Makinde’s exit, the party’s zoning of the presidency to the South and the stakeholders compromise that allowed Senator Anyanwu to retain his seat as National Secretary, pending the November Convention, the influence of Wike and his group has been whittled down.
For the party that has been witnessing defections of its big-wigs, by two governors, many lawmakers and local government chairmen, it is hard to see how they would fare in the 2027 poll, more so when formidable rival groups like the ADC has sprung up and the governing APC is waxing stronger with the defection bandwagon.
Former Niger State governor, Aliyu Babangida was more realistic when he addressed the lingering problem of defections that has reduced the strength of the party in many states of the federation.
He said: “You don’t invite nomadic politicians back to your place; these were people with a history of nomadism. Our constitution is specific, when you leave the party; you join the queue. The party is not just to win elections.
“The party is also to ensure the culture of selling real, principled politics. Even if we don’t win elections, but we are one united, principled party, we will be recognised.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
