Peter Obi’s Return For 2027 Election Will Destroy PDP – Wike

-SPECIAL REPORT-

Wike’s Warning: Peter Obi’s 2027 Comeback Could Bury the PDP

In a fiery and unfiltered media appearance, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, issued a stark warning to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): entertaining the idea of Peter Obi’s return ahead of the 2027 presidential election would be tantamount to political suicide. Wike, known for his blunt political commentary, did not mince words as he described Obi’s potential reentry into the PDP as “dangerous,” “hypocritical,” and a move that would “kill the party”.

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate under the Labour Party, had previously been a member of the PDP and even served as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2019 elections. However, Wike reminded the public that Obi had once labeled the PDP as “rotten,” questioning the integrity of a man who would now consider returning to the same party for the sake of ambition. “Ambition can even make people go to Satan’s house,” Wike quipped, underscoring his disdain for what he sees as opportunistic politics.

The controversy stems from internal PDP discussions about zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a region Obi hails from. Prominent figures like Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and former Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana have reportedly floated the idea of Obi’s return, hoping to leverage his popularity. But Wike was adamant: such a move would erode the party’s credibility and ideological foundation, especially after its bruising defeat in the 2023 elections, a loss Wike attributes to the party’s failure to respect zoning and equity.

He recalled warning his colleagues that having both the presidential candidate and the national chairman from the same region would backfire. “They stole the presidential ticket and also the national chairman. I said it would purge them, and it did. I don’t regret it,” Wike declared, pointing to what he sees as the consequences of political arrogance and imbalance.

Wike also cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is reportedly being courted for a 2027 run, to be wary of those who once undermined his leadership. He urged Jonathan to learn from the past and avoid being lured into a race that could further destabilize the PDP.

In essence, Wike’s message was clear: the PDP must choose principle over ambition, equity over expediency, and credibility over convenience. Bringing Peter Obi back, in his view, would not be a revival, it would be a requiem.