One of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has revealed that he is leading a strategic search team within the party to identify a formidable presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s on Wednesday, Gana described the PDP as rejuvenated and “fascinating,” stating that the strength of the party’s platform could potentially discourage weaker opponents from contesting.
Gana also confirmed that the PDP is actively making moves to bring back Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor.
According to him, efforts are underway to reconcile with Obi, despite the latter also being courted by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“We are reaching out to Peter Obi. Because I’m leading a search team and there are many brilliant people, Peter may be good, but we have somebody better. So, we are searching,” Gana stated, noting that the party is exploring all options, including fresh talent within and outside its current fold.
In a candid reflection on the events that led to Obi’s departure from the PDP before the 2023 polls, Gana admitted that the party mishandled the situation. “We made a mistake in 2023. If I were Atiku, I would have said, ‘Peter, it is now your turn; I will give you a vice-president,’ but he didn’t,” Gana lamented.
He also asserted that a PDP-Obi ticket would have stood a stronger chance of winning, particularly in the North. “Our people in the northern states are fair-minded. Peter Obi under the PDP would defeat any candidate because of this,” he said.
