A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, has stirred debate with a bold claim that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, would defeat any political contender in Nigeria’s northern region — but only if he runs on the PDP platform.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana declared:
“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.”
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Obi, who was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019, defected to the Labour Party in 2022 to contest in the 2023 presidential election. Despite his new platform, he remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly among young voters and reform-minded citizens.
Reflecting on the PDP’s legacy, Gana emphasized the party’s grassroots foundation, saying:
“Many people have forgotten that the PDP was created as a grassroots organisation. In 1998, we were formed, and by the 1999 elections, we were in every polling unit. We won the presidency, the Senate, the House, and most local governments. We restored democracy.”
Gana dismissed the impact of the party’s recent internal crises, describing them as elite squabbles confined to Abuja.
“It didn’t even go beyond,” he insisted.
A veteran politician and key player during Nigeria’s transition from military rule, Gana also hinted at long-term zoning arrangements within the PDP.
“In 2031, it will be the turn of the North. Our people are very fair, and we are building a nation,” he said.
The remarks are likely to spark reactions within and outside the PDP, as debates over zoning, coalition-building, and potential 2027 presidential candidates intensify.
