2027: Wike Lobbies Peter Obi to Return to PDP, Weeks After Declaring His Presidential Ambitions Dead
“They say Peter Obi will be president—president where? Out of emotion, most of you are just following someone you don’t know, the time has passed; he won’t have the opportunity again," Wike had said
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Wike Lobbies Peter Obi to Return to PDP, Weeks After Declaring His Presidential Ambitions Dead
Weeks after publicly declaring that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi would “never be president” again, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is reportedly spearheading efforts to bring the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with promises of securing him the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
The move, confirmed by insiders within the PDP, appears to mark a dramatic reversal from Wike’s recent remarks dismissing Obi’s political future.
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Speaking during a Thanksgiving service in Abuja last month, Wike had criticized Obi’s tenure as governor, accusing him of authoritarian leadership and dismissing his current political relevance.
“They say Peter Obi will be president—president where? Out of emotion, most of you are just following someone you don’t know, the time has passed; he won’t have the opportunity again,” Wike had said.
However, multiple high-ranking PDP sources now say Wike is actively lobbying behind the scenes to bring Obi back into the party fold. According to a member of the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke anonymously, Wike and his allies are offering Obi a clear path to the 2027 presidential ticket in exchange for his return.
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“The Minister is working seriously to bring Obi back. With Atiku Abubakar now out of the PDP and aligning with the ADC, Wike believes Obi can consolidate the opposition and challenge Tinubu in 2027—this time, under PDP,” the source revealed.
Obi, who was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019 alongside Atiku, left the party in 2022 to run under the Labour Party, finishing third in the 2023 election behind Tinubu and Atiku. His popularity, however, remains strong among a youthful support base known as the “Obidient Movement.”
With Labour Party now riddled with internal conflicts and Atiku reportedly pitching his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), political realignments ahead of 2027 are already gaining momentum. Yet, Obi has remained publicly noncommittal about his next political platform, even as he maintains close ties with figures across party lines.
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Reacting to the reports, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, confirmed that overtures have indeed been made to Obi.
“Well, the goldfish has no hiding place,” Tanko said. “We’re aware people are reaching out. But our focus remains on presenting Peter Obi as a unifying figure. Any platform that supports that cause will be considered.”
On his part, Wike’s Special Assistant on Media, Lere Olayinka, denied any knowledge of his principal making such moves. Responding via social media, he wrote: “No!” and further claimed he wasn’t aware of any involvement by other party leaders either.
Meanwhile, other PDP heavyweights are reportedly eyeing the 2027 ticket. These include Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, and former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Sources say internal consultations are ongoing within the PDP to determine the most viable candidate, with Wike’s camp believed to be positioning Obi as the consensus choice.
