Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, has revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering former President Goodluck Jonathan and ex-Anambra governor, Peter Obi, as possible presidential candidates for 2027.
The governor, who doubles as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, said this while speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Thursday.
His comment follows the PDP’s decision to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the south; a move seen as a corrective step after internal divisions cost the party dearly in the 2023 general elections.
Mohammed described Jonathan as “one of the most celebrated politicians today despite previous political blackmail against him” and confirmed that Obi would be given a fair chance if he returns to the party.
“Certainly, President Jonathan is one of the candidates we are thinking of, if he joins us and opens his mind to run,” Mohammed 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.”
Asked about talks with Obi, who contested under the Labour Party in 2023, Mohammed responded:
“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.”
The governor further disclosed that other southern politicians such as Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, and former minister Rotimi Amaechi are also in the mix.
“There are so many politicians. I even had a session with Governor Amaechi. I have not been sleeping. I have to make sure I create a closing-of-rank for people to come and help,” he added.
On the party’s poor outing in 2023, Mohammed admitted the PDP erred by failing to zone its ticket southward. He argued that the party now needs a southern Christian candidate with a northern Muslim running mate to balance Nigeria’s diversity.
He criticised the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in 2023, saying it “did not take into cognisance our diversity.”
