Bala Mohammed: PDP considering Jonathan, Obi for 2027 presidential ticket

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering former President Goodluck Jonathan or Peter Obi, ex-governor of Anambra, to possibly lead the party to the polls in 2027.

His comment comes in the wake of the PDP’s decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the south.

On Wednesday, Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, said some individuals have been engaging with Jonathan and Obi over a potential return to the PDP.

He also hinted that Obi could clinch the party’s presidential ticket in 2027 if he decides to return.

Speaking on Thursday during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Mohammed said Jonathan remains “one of the most celebrated politicians today despite previous political blackmail against him” before the 2019 election.

Mohammed, who is chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said Obi, who contested on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023, would be given a chance if he returns.

“But certainly, President Jonathan is one of the candidates we are thinking of, if he joins us and opens his mind to run,” he said.

“And even other people like Governor Obi, because if he decides to come to a better platform where there are no encumbrances, he will be given the opportunity too,” Bala said.

Asked whether the PDP governors were engaging Obi ahead of the 2027 election, he replied: “Have you not seen him with me? he’s my brother, my friend.”

“And of course, he’s one of the most celebrated politicians too. You see him within the coalition or no coalition. Definitely, we are not sleeping, only that we don’t make noise,” Mohammed added.

He noted that other southern politicians, including Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, are also free to contest the ticket.

“There are so many politicians. I even had a session with Governor Amaechi. I have not been sleeping,” the Bauchi governor said.

“I have to make sure I create a closing-of-rank for people to come and help.”

When asked about the possibility of Rotimi Amaechi returning to the PDP, the Bauchi governor replied: “Well, he’s free to if he wants to come back.”

Mohammed also said the PDP lost the 2023 election because it failed to zone the presidential ticket to the south.

The governor suggested that the party needs a christian from the south to emerge as presidential candidate, with a muslim from the north as running mate

He added that the APC’s decision to run a muslim-muslim ticket in the 2023 polls “did not take into cognisance our diversity”.