A founding member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Jerry Gana, has said that Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections would defeat any candidate from northern states if he runs for the 2027 election on the PDP platform.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana said, “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”, the former information minister said.
Peter Obi quit the PDP in May 2022 to lead the LP during the 2023 elections.
Reflecting on how the PDP was founded, Gana reminded Nigerians of the party’s grassroots strength and its pivotal role in restoring democratic governance.
Gana said, “I must confess that many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation.
“In 1998, we were formed and then, moving to the elections in 1999, we were in every polling unit, because we are the ones who really won the first election.
“Many people have forgotten that the PDP won most of the local governments.
“When it came to the presidential elections, we won the presidency, we won the Senate, and we won the House.
“We were totally in control, and that is why we were very delighted that we restored democracy to Nigeria and re‑established civil rule.
“Because for a number of years there was military rule, but we successfully terminated that in a very democratic way, so the PDP was really as it were, a grassroots party.
“That’s why when we said ‘power to the people’, we meant it because that was what it was, and it has been like that.”
On the conflict rocking the party, said the problem is among a few elites.
“When this recent problem happened, it was really among a few elites here in Abuja. It didn’t even go beyond.”
<span;>He added that the 2027 Presidency is for the south while the north will take its turn in 2031.
“In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation”, Gana said.
