A number one determine of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has known as on former Anambra State governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to return to the PDP forward of the 2027 common elections, describing him as a product of the celebration’s nationwide political equipment.
Talking throughout an interview on Come up Tv on Thursday, Sowunmi argued that Obi’s rise to nationwide prominence started together with his time within the PDP, notably after he was chosen as Atiku Abubakar’s working mate within the 2019 presidential election.
“You need to to begin with perceive that Peter is our reward to the nationwide play,” Sowunmi mentioned. “Earlier than he got here to our celebration, he used to play solely in a small celebration known as APGA. Then, we introduced him and made him some sort of adviser to President Jonathan. Then we made him vice-presidential candidate in 2019. That was what launched him into the massive nationwide area.”
Obi, who defected from the PDP to the Labour Party within the buildup to the 2023 elections, ran a surprisingly sturdy marketing campaign, securing thousands and thousands of votes throughout the nation and profitable in key city centres. Although he in the end misplaced to the APC’s Bola Tinubu, his efficiency reshaped Nigeria’s political panorama, particularly amongst youth and first-time voters.
Sowunmi, nonetheless, maintained that Obi’s political power can be greatest harnessed throughout the PDP, particularly with mounting inner fractures and up to date defections threatening the celebration’s cohesion.
“Now that he has gone to attempt to be president, we will all acknowledge and say, okay, we see the numbers,” Sowunmi mentioned. “If we didn’t give Peter that likelihood, how would now we have identified he had this sort of attain?”
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He careworn the necessity for opposition unity to problem the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, warning towards a divided entrance that might hand the APC one other simple victory.
“The PDP desires Obi to return as a result of the celebration can not afford to enter right into a splintered association that may result in one other defeat,” he mentioned.
Sowunmi’s attraction comes amid rising uncertainty within the PDP, together with a recent wave of defections in Delta State the place Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and different prime celebration leaders have reportedly resolved to hitch the APC.
The way forward for the opposition forward of the following common election stays unsure, with calls like Sowunmi’s highlighting the urgency for consolidation and strategic realignments.
