Founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has expressed confidence that former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, could secure a decisive victory in Nigeria’s northern states if he returned to the PDP.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana described Obi as a candidate with broad appeal, particularly in the North, citing research and public opinion studies.
“I’m a researcher, and I research opinions. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP will defeat any candidate, because our people are very fair-minded,” Gana stated.
Obi left the PDP in May 2022 to contest under the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, where he emerged as a strong third-place contender.
Reflecting on the PDP’s legacy, Gana highlighted the party’s deep grassroots structure and its pivotal role in returning Nigeria to civilian rule.
“The PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed and by 1999, we had structures in every polling unit. We won most local government areas, the presidency, the Senate, and the House. We were in full control. That’s why we proudly say we restored democracy and re-established civil rule,” Gana recalled.
On the party’s internal disputes, he dismissed them as isolated incidents, saying, “This recent problem was really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even spread beyond that.”
Gana, who served as Minister of Information and Cooperation during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration from 1999 to 2003, also addressed the issue of zoning within the PDP. He indicated that equity would continue to guide the party’s rotation of power.
“In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation that respects balance and justice,” he said.
Gana’s remarks come amid ongoing conversations about the future of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections and speculation over Obi’s political trajectory.
