Chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dan Ulasi, has said the return of former presidential candidate Peter Obi to the PDP would offer the party a significant advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections, but warned that internal crises, including the influence of Minister Nyesom Wike, could undermine the party’s future.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Ulasi responded to growing conversations within PDP ranks about the possibility of luring Obi back to the party. He described Obi as a man of integrity and a reference point in Nigerian politics.“Peter Obi is by all standards a very honest person, a good Christian. He doesn’t talk from both sides of his mouth, If the PDP desires his return, I will support it.”He argued that Obi’s decision to promise a single term, which some have met with scepticism, is in line with the spirit of Nigeria’s constitution.
“The constitution gives you four years, and presumes that within that time, you can make an impactful impression,” he stated, adding that if a leader performs exceptionally, a second term can be considered but it’s not a given.”Ulasi also pushed back against critics who question his change of tone on Obi. When confronted with claims he previously criticised Obi’s tenure as governor of Anambra State, he dismissed them as “fallacy of generalisation. ””I’ve never condemned Peter Obi’s governorship in Anambra.
I may have disagreed with his decision to leave the PDP then, but that doesn’t erase his track record,” he said.On the question of internal instability within the PDP, Ulasi acknowledged that Minister Nyesom Wike continues to wield considerable influence, but warned against placing the party’s future solely in the hands of one individual.“Wike is not a magician. Politics is not magic, Seven of our ten governors were present at our last meeting where we began taking steps to reorganise the party. The
idea that only Wike controls the PDP is incorrect and simplistic.”Ulasi explained that the roots of the party’s internal crisis date back to the 2023 elections, where the failure to zone the presidency to the South alienated critical southern stakeholders.“The zoning committee led by Governor Ortom refused to take a decision. That
silence enabled Atiku to run. The PDP sabotaged itself. ”“That was the foundation of the crisis and why Wike, who had been a frontrunner, became disillusioned.”Responding to concerns that Wike has threatened to disrupt the planned PDP convention in November unless certain conditions are met, Ulasi said the party was working to stabilise ahead of the event.“I’m on the committee for the November convention. After that, we’ll have new party officers. Only then can we start preparing for 2027. We can’t jump ahead.”Ulasi also took aim at party defectors, including a former PDP senator who recently joined the APC, saying such defections are often driven by personal gain rather than ideology.“People are leaving because the PDP is no longer in power. They’re chasing money. What did those people even offer PDP before they left?” he asked.
He described the PDP as a party of values, not opportunism, and said the exodus of some politicians to the APC was not necessarily a loss.“I’ve been in PDP since its formation. I’ve never been a commissioner, never been appointed, but I’ve chaired major screening panels. That’s party loyalty,” he said. “I won’t leave unless there’s a compelling reason.”While also commenting on the performance of President Bola Tinubu, acknowledging the difficulty of governance post-Buhari.“Tinubu inherited a mess. Anyone coming after Buhari would have faced these problems.
The only difference would be in methodology,” he said.Still, Ulasi maintained that the country needs leaders who inspire trust and offer hope leaders like Peter Obi. “Nobody has ever pointed a negative finger at Peter Obi. His record speaks for itself. At the very least, he gives Nigerians hope, and that’s what this country desperately needs,” he said.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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