A former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jacob Mark, has declared that contrary to popular opinion, the party didn’t deny former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, its 2023 presidential ticket.

Mark submitted that Obi didn’t get the PDP presidential ticket in 2023 because he left the party to join the Labour Party before the presidential primaries were held.

According to him, there is therefore no truth in viral claims that the PDP denied Peter Obi its 2023 presidential ticket.

He also debunked claims that the PDP is considering giving its 2027 presidential ticket to Obi, noting that reports about such a development are simply personal opinions and not the party’s official position.

Naijaonpoint reports that Mark made the submissions in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday, following earlier statements by former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, that Obi would return to the PDP and pick up the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.

He said: “I’m not sure anyone denied Peter Obi the ticket when he was interested in 2023, he left before the primary of the PDP to join LP so he was not denied. He had the right of choice and he elected to go to the Labour Party.

“While so many people are of the opinion that he may come back to the PDP, I think the decision is entirely his and I’m not sure that the PDP as a party has sat down to say that he should come back and take the ticket of the party. These are generally personal opinions that are built on cogent reasons.

“There is no doubt that Peter Obi following his showing in 2023 is a brand that any political party will like to hold, same way, there is no doubt that PDP has been a brand.

“So if two brands come together, it’s easy to predict the result but I don’t think that we have gotten there yet where the PDP has taken the decision that it must be Peter Obi.

“He’s a very fine brand that many people believe in him and are following him but if he comes to PDP he could be a good sell, so if there is a candidate anywhere who is sellable, it won’t be wrong for any political party to woo the candidate to fly its ticket.”