The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticised Bolaji Abdullahi, interim national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), over his recent comments suggesting that former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, would not return to the PDP.
Abdullahi had claimed that Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party (LP), is fully aware of the political risks of rejoining the PDP, which he alleged is still under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Everyone knows that the jugular of PDP is still in the hands of the ruling party. Peter Obi, more than anyone else, knows that he cannot take the risk of going to the PDP,” Abdullahi said during a media appearance on Monday.
The PDP, in a swift reaction, described Abdullahi’s comments as careless, misleading and a failed attempt to discourage growing calls for unity among opposition forces ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party insiders say Obi remains highly respected within the PDP, and consultations are ongoing to strengthen the party and broaden its coalition base.
Speculation over Obi’s possible return to the PDP has intensified in recent weeks, following concerns over his chances of clinching the ADC’s presidential ticket in the 2027 race. Obi is currently aligned with an opposition coalition that recently adopted the ADC as its platform.
Last week, Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the PDP, confirmed that efforts were underway to persuade Obi to return to the party.
Similarly, former Borno State governor and ex-PDP national chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, predicted on Monday that Obi would eventually rejoin the PDP before the next general election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, described Abdullahi’s comment as an “unprovoked public verbal assault”.
Ologunagba alleged that Abdullahi is “known for his roles as chief image maker and defender” of the APC, adding that his remark was “reckless and revealing”.
“It is rather unfortunate that the APC-indoctrinated Abdullahi is apparently unhappy that the PDP is building momentum against the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections, hence this resort to attacking the PDP instead of confronting the APC,” the statement reads.
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“In any case the PDP, as the leading opposition Party, commanding the respect, loyalty and solidarity of overwhelming majority of Nigerians across the country and which is also the broad-based platform driving the aspiration of Nigerians to oust the APC in 2027, will not descend to join issues with the ADC or any other opposition Party in the country for that matter.
“Instead, the PDP, with its track record of performance, which Nigerians still recall with nostalgia, will continue to vigorously challenge the failed APC on issues while shaping constructive national discourse and galvanising Nigerians towards voting out the APC and installing a people-oriented government on the platform of our Party, come 2027.”
Ologunagba said notwithstanding the defections recorded in the PDP, Nigerians are still standing by the party.
“The PDP, therefore, remains the Party that has the support base, connections, national spread and political muscle to unseat the APC,” he said.
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He added that the PDP has “more than enough presidential personalities with clear records of achievement and capacity to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at any time”.
