PDP leaders enlist Obasanjo for 2027 comeback

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo (File photo)

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Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of moves to reposition the party for a possible return to power in the 2027 general elections.

The factional Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, SAN, led other members of his executive to the penthouse residence of the former president at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The closed-door meeting with Obasanjo lasted for 40 minutes.

In the entourage of the new PDP leadership were the Board of Trustees Chairman and former Senate President, Sen Adolphus Wabara; the National Secretary and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja; two former governors of Niger and Plateau states, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu and Sen Jonah Jang; the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections, and Dr Wole Oluyede, among others.

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH after the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ini Ememobong, said Obasanjo urged the leaders to maintain strict discipline within the party to safeguard its future.

He noted that the former president emphasised the importance of discipline as the foundation of effective party administration.

“It was a consultative meeting where we looked at the state of the nation, the state of democracy and the state of affairs. We had very fruitful discussions, and he tasked us to carry on and soldier on, but we should keep discipline as the core of our party administration.

“He practically and particularly said that we can’t allow indiscipline; that indiscipline destroys everything,” Ememobong said.

He explained that the party leadership assured the ex-president that it would take his counsel seriously, strengthen internal discipline and ensure that all members adhered to the rules and values of the PDP to safeguard the party’s unity and credibility.

“As you can see, the party is already on the path of discipline. If people act in ways that do not conform with discipline, we draw their attention to it because indiscipline is a destroyer,” Ememobong said.

Speaking shortly after the meeting, Turaki said they visited Obasanjo to get his support and guidance ahead of what he described as “the gargantuan task” of dislodging the All Progressives Congress in 2027.

Turaki described the former president as a highly experienced elder statesman whose legacy of building strong institutions helped to strengthen democratic growth in the country.

The former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan said having just been given the opportunity to serve, the new leadership of the opposition party thought it wise to visit Obasanjo to draw from his wealth of wisdom and seek his blessings and support for the success of the new administration.

Turaki said although the task of sending the APC government packing in 2027 due to incompetence and maladministration might not be a tea party, the frank discussions the opposition leaders had with Obasanjo inspired them that the task ahead was not impossible.

Turaki stated that the PDP was battle-ready for 2027, adding that this would be evident when the party reclaimed power in Ekiti and Osun states.

He said, “PDP is battle-ready for 2027, and as a mark of our readiness, we shall take over Ekiti State and follow it up with Osun State.

“By the time we win these two states, we shall leave no one in doubt that the PDP is once again on the move and on the rise to chase out the APC government with all its incompetence and maladministration in 2027.”

Addressing party members later at the state secretariat, Turaki urged PDP members globally to support the new leadership, saying the era of impunity and shenanigans was over in the party, as members would be allowed to pitch their tents with their preferred candidates during elections.

He said, “The truth is that the PDP is back and on the rise to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country.

“Nigerians can see that since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is now more worried than ever. They know the equation has changed and that the PDP is ready to send them packing in 2027.”

The National Secretary of the party, Arapaja, and the BoT Chairman, Wabara, in separate interviews, also urged party members to remain united and begin massive mobilisation.

Speaking with journalists at the event, the Ogun State chairman of the party, Abayomi Tella, said members were happy to be the first state to receive the new leadership after their election in Ibadan about three weeks earlier.

Tella said the opposition was battle-ready to defeat the APC in 2027, warning that the people would not tolerate harassment and intimidation as witnessed in recent elections in the state.

He said, “For 2027, the election will be about the people versus political parties. It doesn’t matter whether it is APC or PDP. The people of Ogun State have tasted water and palm oil, and they know the difference.

“It is the people of the state, with the support of the PDP, who will take the mantle of leadership in 2027.

“It’s not about us alone. Everyone is tired of this government, enough of maladministration and bad governance under the APC.

“So, together with the people, we are battle-ready for 2027. What happened in 2023 will not repeat itself. What happened during the Remo Federal Constituency by-election in August will not repeat itself.

“We are all indigenes and residents of this state, and we have the right to vote and be voted for. You cannot chase people away from voting for a party. We won’t allow that to happen in 2027.”

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