‘PDP Is Back,’ Turaki Says As Party Leaders Meet Obasanjo

“PDP Is Back,” Turaki Declares as Party Leaders Meet Obasanjo

In a dramatic show of unity and renewed ambition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership convened with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Presidential Library residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The meeting, led by the PDP National Chairman, Taminu Turaki, was framed as a symbolic return to the party’s roots and a declaration of readiness to reclaim political dominance in Nigeria.

Turaki, accompanied by prominent figures including former Senate President and PDP Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, former governors Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Jonah Jang, as well as former Oyo State Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja, emphasized the party’s determination to reposition itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Paying tribute to Obasanjo and other founding fathers of the PDP, Turaki described the visit as both a gesture of gratitude and a strategic consultation. He likened Obasanjo to an oracle whose guidance was essential for the party’s “gargantuan task” of returning to power.

The PDP Chairman outlined a clear roadmap: reclaiming Ekiti and Osun states in upcoming off-season governorship elections as a precursor to challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) nationally. He asserted that the party’s recent convention in Ibadan had already unsettled the APC, signaling a shift in political momentum. “PDP is battle-ready for 2027,” Turaki declared, insisting that victories in Ekiti and Osun would prove the party’s resurgence.

Obasanjo’s role in the meeting was portrayed as inspirational, with Turaki noting that the former president’s vision and contributions to democracy continue to shape Nigeria’s political landscape.

The gathering was not only about strategy but also about rekindling morale among members. Ogun State PDP Chairman Abayomi Tella described the encounter as a “new dawn,” stressing that the party’s hope had been rekindled and that the people were prepared to embrace change.

The rhetoric from the meeting carried undertones of defiance and confidence. Turaki employed a proverb to illustrate the importance of experience, saying, “A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots,” underscoring the value of learning from Obasanjo’s political journey. The message was clear: PDP sees itself as rejuvenated, united, and poised to challenge what it calls the APC’s “incompetence and maladministration.”

As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 elections, this meeting between PDP leaders and Obasanjo marks a significant moment in the party’s narrative. It signals both a strategic recalibration and an attempt to rally supporters around the idea that the PDP, once Nigeria’s dominant political force, is ready to reclaim its “rightful place” in the nation’s democratic process.