Professor Jerry Gana, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), believes former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, stands a strong chance of winning votes in Nigeria’s northern states if he returns to the PDP.
In an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Wednesday, Gana said Obi’s prospects would significantly improve under the PDP’s political structure.
“I’m a researcher, and I study public opinion. In the northern states, Peter Obi under the PDP would defeat any candidate because our people are fair-minded,” he stated.
Obi left the PDP in May 2022 and contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party.
Gana, who served as Minister of Information between 1999 and 2003 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, reflected on the PDP’s early history, describing it as a grassroots movement with deep national reach.
“Many have forgotten that the PDP was founded as a grassroots movement. By the 1999 elections, we were present in every polling unit. We won the presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and most local governments. We restored democratic rule after years of military governance,” he said.
Addressing internal party disputes, Gana minimized their impact, characterizing them as isolated among a few elites in the capital.
“The current issues are largely confined to a small group of elites in Abuja. They haven’t affected the party nationwide.”
Looking ahead to the 2031 presidential race, he reaffirmed the PDP’s commitment to power rotation and equity.
“In 2031, it will be the North’s turn. Our people believe in justice, and we are committed to building a united nation,” Gana said.
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