A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Ogidi, has disclosed that the party plans to meet with former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and other key political figures as part of efforts to rebuild and reposition Nigeria’s main opposition party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ogidi, who is the PDP’s South-South Chairman, made this known on Wednesday while speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He said the party’s leadership had embarked on wide consultations with influential political stakeholders across the country to demonstrate that the PDP remains active, relevant and committed to democratic ideals.
According to him, the consultation process has already taken the party’s leaders to former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military leader Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, adding that similar engagements were planned with Obi and Atiku.
Ogidi stated that the PDP considers Obi and Atiku important figures in Nigeria’s political landscape and believes such engagements are necessary as the party works to strengthen itself as the real face of democracy in the country.
Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar are both former members of the PDP. Obi previously flew the party’s flag as vice presidential candidate, while Atiku emerged as its presidential candidate in the 2019 and 2023 general elections. Both politicians are now members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
On Tuesday, members of the PDP National Working Committee also met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja. The delegation, led by the party’s National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, said the visit was part of ongoing consultations with senior party leaders and elders.
Speaking after the meeting, Turaki said Jonathan reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP, describing himself as an active and card-carrying member of the party who feels obliged to continue supporting it. He added that the former president’s assurances were encouraging as the party prepares for upcoming off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun states, as well as the 2027 general election.
The PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, has faced internal crises since losing power at the centre. The party has been further divided following its convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where expulsions of some prominent figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, deepened leadership disputes at the national level.
