‘Obi’s return to PDP imminent’

THE GUARDIAN

Party plots repeat of 1999 deal as coalition talks continue

In what appears a move to prepare opposition political parties for the 2027 elections, the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, Thursday, met behind closed doors with the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed.

Sources within the Bauchi State Government House told The Guardian that the former Anambra State governor visited Bauchi to ensure that the PDP governors were on the same page with the calls on him and his running mate on the LP platform, Senator Datti Baba Ahmed, to re-join the PDP.

The source affirmed that prominent PDP leaders, including the Fourth Republic Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had been mounting pressures on the former LP presidential candidate to return to PDP to join forces with like minds and rescue the country from economic dilapidation and social unease.

“I think the former Vice President had visited his former Principal, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to plead with him to convince Mr Peter Obi to return to PDP so that together they can pick the pieces of what remains of the country and build a new Nigeria.

“You are aware that the issue of zoning contributed to the failure of PDP to win the 2023 presidential election. So, I believe that the party leaders have learnt their lessons and are prepared to make serious amends. They are talking and all sides seem to agree that there is a need to make sacrifices,” the source disclosed.

However, emerging from the closed-door meeting, Bauchi State governor, Mohammed, declared that he was ready to work with Obi “to form a vibrant opposition and deliver the country from mediocres parading as leaders.”

The PDPGF Chairman, who is also associated with 2027 presidential ambition, stated: “Obi is the leader of opposition in Nigeria, because of his position and pedigree. So, I want to say this and make it clear to some of those doubting Thomases, who want to pre-empt what we are doing.  

“As a person, I am ready to work with Mr Peter Obi and to make sure we close ranks and bring good governance to the country. To give vibrant opposition with knowledge and timelines, and vision in such a manner that would rescue and recover our country from these mediocre that are parading themselves as leaders, time has come. But we must step out and do things with fidelity, with sincerity and focus.

“I think our coming together is a message. And the message is going to resonate, I believe, because all our colleagues, the governors, are behind this kind of journey. Because it is a transcendental one, and I want to say that we are very grateful to Peter Obi for coming here. And we will take it up and take it further in a manner that going forward, you will see more of this outing between us and Governor Obi, PDP governors, and PDP as a party.”

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