The Traffic

PDP Mulls Peter Obi, Jonathan for 2027 Presidential Ticket – Gov Bala Mohammed

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is weighing the possibility of fielding Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer, Peter Obi, and former President Goodluck Jonathan as potential candidates for the 2027 presidential election.

Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed, disclosed this Thursday night on Channels TV’s Politics Today. His comments come days after the PDP zoned its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria.

Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, contested the PDP’s 2022 presidential primary before defecting to the Labour Party, where he eventually became its presidential candidate. Jonathan, who led Nigeria between 2010 and 2015 on the PDP platform, lost re-election to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.

Beyond Obi and Jonathan

Governor Mohammed stressed that the PDP was engaging not only Obi and Jonathan, but also “celebrated politicians” across party lines who could strengthen the party’s bid to reclaim power from the APC in 2027.

When pressed on whether discussions with Jonathan were ongoing, he responded, “Yes, we are.” On Obi, he said:
“Have you not seen him with me several times? He’s my brother, my friend, and one of the most celebrated politicians too. Within the coalition or outside the coalition, we are not sleeping – only that we don’t make noise.”

The Bauchi governor also reiterated his past pledge to shelve his own presidential ambition should Jonathan decide to run under the PDP banner.
“I was the first person to say that if he runs, I will not run. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I said we should just go and sleep,” he quipped.

Big Tent Strategy

Mohammed added that the PDP was also in talks with former members who may be willing to return, as well as political heavyweights from rival camps. He specifically mentioned former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, suggesting that despite aligning with another coalition, Amaechi could still find his way back to the PDP.

“Amaechi is free to come back if he wants to. I have spoken to so many people, not just him or Obi. These are only the key people I mentioned,” Mohammed said.

With its presidential ticket zoned to the South, the PDP appears to be casting its net wide, exploring alliances and heavyweight candidacies to mount a formidable challenge against the ruling APC in 2027.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna