Jonathan or Peter Obi? PDP Speaks on “North’s Best Choice” Ahead of 2027 Election
- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) addressed speculation of zoning its ticket to the southern region of Nigeria
- PDP chieftain, Umar Sani, explained the party's preferred choice even by the northern region, to secure its presidential ticket between ex-president Goodluck Jonathan and Peter Obi
- While Jonathan is yet to speak about his 2027 presidential ambition amid widespread calls, Peter Obi, on the other hand, vowed to go for a single-term presidency (four-year tenure)
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Amid the debate about zoning and return of power to the North, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, believes former president Goodluck Jonathan should emerge as his party’s presidential candidate rather than Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
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Sani disclosed this when he appeared on Trust TV’s Daily Politics on Saturday, July 26, while reacting to speculation that the PDP is courting Obi and the potential return of Jonathan to the 2027 presidential race.
The media aide to former vice president Namadi Sambo stated that whether the speculations are true or false, the North will prefer Jonathan to Obi.
According to him, Jonathan’s return to power for another four years will complete the South’s eight years.
“I will prefer that President Jonathan takes the ticket, not because I do not like Obi, but because that will ensure that the South will have completed their four years.”
He argued that, by law, Jonathan’s presidency cannot exceed a four-year tenure, adding that Obi’s promise to spend four years in power is merely “political talk.”
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Speaking further, Sani noted that even though Obi’s integrity speaks for him, it is better for the PDP and the North to support Jonathan, who, by law, cannot spend more than four years, than to have Obi, who is only bound by his words, Vanguard reported.
He said:
“He has to go after four years. This one is making a promise. A promise can be kept and may not be kept either way. But on this one, you are sure that it must be kept. So for the North, I think Goodluck Jonathan is the best choice.”
Sani’s submission is predicated on the narrative that any southern candidate contesting for president in 2027 should be willing to spend four years in office to complete the region’s eight-year term, thereby equaling the eight-year tenure of the late president Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.
Obi insists on single-term presidency
Recall that Peter Obi of the Labour Party affirmed that he is qualified to contest for president, and he would only run for a single term.
The former governor of Anambra state also addressed speculation regarding his alliance with former vice president Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
Read more about PDP, 2027 here:
- 2027 election: Atiku told not to step aside for southern candidate, reason emerges
- Atiku's defection: PDP announces moves to bring Peter Obi back ahead of 2027
- Atiku coalition: Lamido gives condition to support Peter Obi in 2027
PDP 2027 ticket: Wike speaks on zoning
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that at a meeting hosted by FCT minister Nyesom Wike, some concerned leaders in the People Democratic Party agreed that the party must zone its presidential ticket to the South in 2027.
They made the call to the leadership of the PDP after meeting with Wike in Abuja on Monday, June 9, 2025.
Source: Legit.ng
