Prominent chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Lere Olayinka, has responded to circulating reports suggesting that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, may return to the PDP.
Olayinka, an aide to the FCT Minister, in an exclusive interview with The New Daily Prime on Wednesday, said he was not aware of any plans by the former Anambra governor to rejoin the party.
He explained that his position outside the leadership of the PDP made it unlikely for him to know of such developments.
He said, “I’m not part of those running the affairs of the PDP. So, there’s really no way I will know officially that he’s planning to return to the PDP.”
He added that he could not speak on matters he had no knowledge of, saying, “I’m not Peter Obi and I’m not aware of moves like that, because like I said, I’m not part of the people running the affairs of the party.”
The report of Peter Obi rejoining the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was made by the former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, during an appearance on Channels Television’s programme Politics Today on Monday.
He publicly asserted that ‘at any moment from now, Peter Obi will go back to the PDP and run as a presidential candidate under the party.’ Meanwhile, Peter Obi has denied the claim through his media aide, Umar Ibrahim, who addressed the issue in a press release issued on Wednesday.
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing coalition on the ADC platform.
Ibrahim clarified that neither of the circulating statements was signed by Obi or his office. He said, “Peter Obi has been unequivocal in his position in the ongoing coalition and didn’t need anyone to put words into his mouth.
He has remained focused on his mission but would not accept anybody attributing a statement to him just to satisfy their devious agenda. ”Obi reiterated his dedication to building “a new Nigeria of our dreams.”
His media office also urged Nigerians to “disregard any statement purported to come from him outside his media office or his official handle.”
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Background: Obi’s PDP Political Journey
Obi joined the PDP in 2014 from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. In 2019, he sought the Nigerian vice presidential nomination 2019 along with Atiku Abubakar after decamping, but they lost to Muhammadu Buhari.
In 2022, Peter Obi joined the Labour Party and emerged as its presidential candidate. He nominated Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as his running mate for the 2023 Nigerian presidential election, aiming to challenge the dominance of the two major political parties. Although Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner with 36.6% of the vote, Obi finished third with 25.4%—a remarkable achievement for a candidate from a less-established party.
His campaign gained widespread support, especially among Nigeria’s youth and urban populations. Obi won convincingly in several states, including Anambra (his home state), Abia, and even briefly led in Lagos, a traditional APC stronghold. His performance marked a significant shift in Nigerian politics, highlighting the power of youth-led movements and social media in shaping national elections.
The Coalition Question Ahead of 2027
As Nigeria gears up for the 2027 general election, questions remain about the political future of Peter Obi. He has repeatedly signaled his commitment to the ongoing coalition movement aimed at unseating the current APC-led administration.
However, Bolaji Abdullahi, the interim National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stated during an interview on Channel Politics Today that Peter Obi has not formally joined the ADC.
Adding to the tension, the Labour Party recently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Obi, demanding he formally resign from the party following his involvement with the ADC-led coalition.
With the 2027 elections approaching, it remains unclear under which platform Peter Obi will contest—if he chooses to pursue his presidential ambition again.
