By Safiyat Muhammed | Abuja | Nigeria News Today
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is once again battling internal divisions as key party leaders remain split over who should fly the party’s flag in the 2027 presidential election.
Sources told Daily Trust that the main opposition party is sharply divided among three camps: one pushing for former President Goodluck Jonathan, another rooting for ex-Anambra governor Peter Obi, and a third bloc backing Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde.
The fresh tussle comes as the PDP inaugurated a 110-member organising committee ahead of its 2025 elective national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Battle Lines
According to insiders, some PDP leaders aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are quietly lobbying for Obi, while others believe Jonathan remains the only credible figure capable of challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Makinde’s name has also surfaced, reflecting the party’s push to balance interests across regions.
Inaugurating the convention committee on Monday, PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba insisted the party has “many qualified governors” capable of leading the country, dismissing speculation around Jonathan and Obi.
“On Jonathan, I don’t speak for him. Ask him yourself. The same with Obi,” Ologunagba told journalists.
One-Term Calculations
Party insiders suggest both Jonathan and Obi are attractive to different factions because they are widely seen as potential one-term leaders, which could pave the way for power to shift back to the North in 2031.
Jonathan is constitutionally limited to just one more four-year term, while Obi has publicly pledged to serve only a single term if elected.
A top PDP source explained:
“Many want Jonathan because he is easy to sell nationwide and has only one term left, which the North will find acceptable. But Wike’s men are against him and are pushing Obi instead.”
Growing Internal Struggles
The divisions are seen as part of a deeper struggle for control within the PDP.
Former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido openly endorsed Jonathan, describing him as the most experienced option. Similarly, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi said Jonathan enjoys strong northern support but added that Obi remains a valuable asset.
However, party chieftain Segun Showunmi cautioned that every aspirant, regardless of stature, must face primaries:
“Jonathan may have an edge, but the PDP will conduct primaries. Anyone qualified can contest.”
Analysts Urge Caution
Political analyst Dr Jide Ojo warned that the PDP risks appearing desperate if it continues chasing Jonathan and Obi without first resolving its internal crisis.
“They should reconcile first. Right now, no matter who they present, they will fail,” he said.
Ojo further argued that Jonathan has been politically dormant since 2015, while Obi’s momentum from the 2023 elections has weakened amid Labour Party’s crisis. He also pointed to the power of incumbency, predicting that the ruling APC will ramp up social programmes ahead of 2027, making the opposition’s task more difficult.
What This Means for 2027
With the PDP convention barely three months away, the party faces a defining moment: whether to rally behind Jonathan, Obi, or Makinde—or risk deepening its internal cracks ahead of 2027.
For more updates on Nigeria News Today and in-depth political analysis, follow The Bureau News.
