Peter Obi’s possible return to PDP is gaining momentum amid reconciliation talks.
Fresh signals suggest that former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may be on his way back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a move that could mark a major success for the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation committee currently working to heal internal party divisions ahead of the 2027 elections.
Obi, who was Atiku Abubakar’s running mate under the PDP in the 2019 general elections, defected to the Labour Party in 2022 and contested the 2023 presidential race, finishing third behind Atiku and President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). His campaign birthed the popular Obidient Movement, which mobilized millions of young Nigerians and disrupted the country’s traditional political order.
Although Obi has participated in recent opposition alliances, including one that adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a possible platform, he has yet to formally resign from the Labour Party and maintains that he remains a member.
Meanwhile, the PDP has struggled with leadership and zoning controversies since its 2022 primaries, which saw Atiku clinch the party’s presidential ticket. The decision to bypass the zoning principle, which should have favored a southern candidate, led to internal rifts and defections Obi’s included.
In a recent interview with Daily Post, Obi’s former Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Katchy Ononuju, disclosed that the PDP is making strategic moves to bring Obi back into the fold, including a new agreement to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South.
“What caused the crisis was the refusal to zone the presidency. That’s why we left and mobilized the youth movement. Now, the Saraki-led committee has recommended zoning to the South, and based on that, many in the party have resumed talks with Peter Obi,” Ononuju said.
He further revealed that Obi met with former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, over the weekend, as discussions intensify.
Ononuju also dismissed claims from political outsiders about Obi’s intentions, adding that some voices within the LP and ADC lack a true understanding of the movement’s roots.
“People like Kenneth Okonkwo are not part of our core. This movement started with people like Doyin Okupe and myself, after the PDP failed to respect zoning. We didn’t even have a candidate until Peter joined us,” he added.
Reaffirming that the PDP’s latest efforts are being taken seriously, Ononuju emphasized that the call to return is not personal but a strategic effort to uphold political fairness and preserve regional equity in the country’s leadership structure.
“We’re doing this for the future. If we don’t correct this imbalance now, our children will inherit a broken political culture. The presidency must rotate between the North and South for equity and unity.”
According to him, conversations are ongoing with PDP stakeholders, many of whom have advised calm, while also disclosing that even Atiku Abubakar is reportedly exploring his own political options in light of the developments.
“I laughed when I heard Atiku was asking if he could come back. This is the time for the South. The party has realized that,” Ononuju concluded.
Peter Obi’s potential return is already stirring deep political conversations as various blocs prepare for what may be a highly competitive race in 2027.