Party sources said that even if Obi decides to return to the PDP, he stands a little chance of clinching the ticket, which some members think should be handed over to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The odds seem to be stacking up against the presidential aspiration of former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, ahead of the 2027 elections, according to indications from his inner circle
Obi, who flew the flag of the LP in 2023 and placed third in the election, is yet to declare the platform he intends to use to realise his ambition in the next election
Although he claims to remain an LP member, he has been hobnobbing lately with the Africa Democratic Party (ADC) whose ticket, observers say, appears to be ready made for former vice president Atiku Abubakar.
The ADC structure is dominated by Atiku’s allies, including the interim national chairman, Chief David Mark and the national secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Mark has denied that his executive committee is working for Atiku but Obi’s supporters appear not convinced.
They are openly alleging marginalization and have formally submitted a petition to Obi on the unfolding situation in ADC.
National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, who signed the petition, claimed that the marginalization manifests at all levels.
“Our people are deliberately excluded at all levels,” he said, adding: “Several of our designated representatives and members are reportedly being excluded from crucial meetings where major decisions affecting the coalition are made.
“This creates an impression of marginalisation and undermines trust, which is essential for building a sustainable partnership.
“The current structure does not reflect the Obidient Movement’s strength and contribution to this coalition.
“We strongly believe that there should be at least one working committee member and one non-working committee member representing the Obidient Movement in each geopolitical zone.”
While the Atiku camp is said to be opened to offering Obi the vice presidential ticket, the former Anambra State governor and his supporters are insisting on the presidential ticket.
Party sources said given the present structure of the ADC, it will be very difficult for Obi to defeat Atiku in the presidential primary
“Even if Obi gets the ticket, he will be naïve to expect Atiku to campaign for him,” one source said.
He added: “In 2014, Atiku joined the APC after the party had been formed by other people, because he realised that Jonathan was firmly in control of PDP.
“That was why he ran to APC to seek the ticket despite the fact that he was not a foundation member.
“When he was beaten to the ticket by Buhari, he became lukewarm, unbothered by the party’s chances.
“In 2019, he returned to the PDP, ran against Buhari but lost. His ambition still lingers and nobody can take the (ADC) ticket from him.
“He became an advocate of single term out of desperation. The zoning principle means nothing to him. Is that the man that Obi wants to contest the ticket with?”
In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose ticket Obi ran as Atiku’s running mate in 2019 many top shots want him back and have been trying to lure him with the party’s ticket.
However, a major bloc in the party does not believe he has the capacity to run the country.
A few days ago, a founding member of the PDP, Prof. Jerry Gana, admitted that the party was discussing with Obi and other prominent Southern political figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Peter Obi is our product. We want to get him back, indeed, because he is a very, very great capital for any political party,” Gana said in a television interview.
Also last Friday, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed publicly invited Obi to return to the party.
However, the PDP today is not the same party Obi left in 2019.
Its rank has been depleted following the crises that trailed the party’s 2022 presidential primaries.
Many of its top members, including two serving governors, its vice presidential candidate in 2023, federal and state legislators and others have dumped it for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and others.
Party sources said that even if Obi decides to return to the party, he stands a little chance of clinching the ticket, which some members think should be handed over to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Prominent PDP members including former deputy national chairman Chief Olabode George, Governor Bala Mohammed and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido are believed to be among those rooting for Jonathan, an Obi strategist, who does not want to be identified told The Nation on Friday. “The PDP appears ruled out and we are advising him to stick to the LP,” he said.
Though LP itself is badly factionalized, it looks the best bet, he added.
On one side of the LP is the Esther Nenadi Usman-led national caretaker committee to which Obi belongs.
Mrs. Usman is regarded by core members as an outsider whose influence in the party is peripheral.
On the other side is the Julius Abure faction which has fallen out with Obi.
Abure and Usman are still giving different interpretations to the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the authentic chairman of the party.
Party sources said if the issue of leadership is not trashed out on time, it may pose a legal obstacle to Obi’s ambition at some point.
Like the PDP, the leadership crisis in LP has forced out many of its top members, including federal and state lawmakers.
Besides, the fervor that greeted the Obi brand in 2023 has waned considerably and the party is no longer as formidable as it was in the last elections.
Nonetheless, not a few loyalists of Obi believe the LP remains a viable platform for him. ” He should be consistent lest he will be like the serial presidential defector whom Nigerians have contempt for, ” another of his loyalists said.
“I can assure you that he is weighing the options and the right decision will be taken,” he said
