PDP Reveals Why It Visited Obasanjo, Vows to Return to Power in 2027

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has explained the reason behind its visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, declaring that the party is fully prepared to reclaim power in the 2027 general elections.

Their visit took place on Saturday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the National Chairman of the party, Tanimu Turaki, led other top leaders to Obasanjo’s penthouse residence within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex.

The PDP delegation included former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja; former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang; and Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello, among others. They were received by the Ogun State Chairman of the party, Hon. Abayomi Tella, alongside other state leaders.

After their arrival, the party leaders held a closed-door meeting with the former president. The meeting lasted for about 40 minutes.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Turaki said the visit was aimed at seeking guidance, support, and direction from Obasanjo as the new leadership of the party settles into office.

Turaki, who recently emerged as the factional national chairman at the party’s convention in Ibadan, described Obasanjo as a respected elder statesman with deep experience in governance and party building under the PDP.

He said the party considered it necessary to consult Obasanjo because of his role in strengthening democratic institutions in Nigeria.

According to him, “Having been given the opportunity to serve, the new leadership of the opposition party thought it wise to visit Obasanjo to drink from his wealth of wisdom and seek for his blessings and support for the success of the new administration.”

Turaki also expressed confidence that the party can defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027, despite acknowledging the challenges ahead.

He said, “Though the task ahead to send the APC government packing in 2027, due to their incompetence and maladministration, might not be a tea party, the frank talk the opposition party leaders had with Obasanjo has further inspired them that the task ahead was not impossible.”

He explained that the visit was also to formally introduce the new leadership to Obasanjo and reaffirm the party’s commitment to rebuilding.

“As the newly elected PDP leadership during our recent congress at Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, the former president under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,” he said.

Turaki went on to list members of the delegation and stressed that their mission was rooted in respect, learning, and consultation.

He said, “We came to thank the former president for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power. We came to thank him for helping to build strong institutions which the country is enjoying till today.”

Emphasising the importance of experience, Turaki added that the party needed Obasanjo’s counsel to succeed in the task before it.

“There is a proverb that says, ‘A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots. So we have come to see our father here in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and we have spoken to Baba, and Baba too has spoken to us, and we are enriched,” he said.

He concluded that the meeting had strengthened the resolve of the party leadership ahead of 2027.

“We have also realised more than ever before now that yes, the task before us may not be an easy one, but from the inspiration and guidance that we have received from Baba today, we are more than ready to go all the way and take PDP back to the seat of power come 2027.”

Turaki also declared that the party’s readiness would reflect in upcoming elections, particularly in Ekiti and Osun states.

“PDP is battle-ready for 2027, and as our mark of readiness, we shall take over Ekiti State and then follow up with Osun State,” he said.

He added that victories in those states would send a strong signal ahead of the general elections.

Addressing party members later at the Ogun State PDP secretariat, Turaki urged members across the country to rally behind the new leadership. He said internal crises and indiscipline would no longer be tolerated.

He stated that “The truth is that PDP is back and is on the rise to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country.”

According to him, the ruling party is already feeling the pressure since the PDP convention in Ibadan.

“The Nigerians could see that since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is now worried more than ever before; they know that the equation has changed and that PDP is ready to send them packing in 2027,” he said.

In their separate remarks, the party’s National Secretary, Arapaja, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, called for unity and mobilisation. They urged members to remain focused on returning the party to power.