“Peter Obi Should Be the One Begging to Return to PDP” – Mark

Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barrister Jacob Mark, has stated that 2027 presidential hopeful Peter Obi should be the one seeking to return to the PDP, not the other way around.

In an interview with Arise News on Thursday, Mark said the PDP remains a formidable political platform with far-reaching grassroots structures, unlike parties that operate with limited presence beyond the national level.

“Unlike other parties that can only boast of a national chairman, the PDP has 37 state chairmen, executives in all local governments and wards. It is not a party that should be begging or cajoling anyone to join,” he said.

Mark’s comments come amid calls by some party elders, including Prof. Jerry Gana, for Obi to return to the PDP and potentially contest the 2027 presidency on its platform. Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, left the PDP in 2022 and ran under the Labour Party, finishing third in the presidential race.

According to Mark, however, the party has not made any collective decision to woo Obi back, despite his popularity.

“There’s no doubt Peter Obi is a strong political brand following his 2023 performance. But I’m not aware of any official position within the PDP that we must bring him back. It’s still largely a personal opinion among some members,” he said.

Clarifying Obi’s exit from the PDP, Mark added: “He left before the primaries. It was his choice. Nobody pushed him out.”

While acknowledging that Obi’s return could be politically advantageous, Mark emphasized that it is up to the former candidate to make that move.

“If he returns, he’ll be welcomed like others who’ve rejoined recently. But it’s not a premium ambition or party directive to go after him,” he said.

Mark urged the PDP to focus on rebuilding and strengthening its national presence ahead of 2027, saying: “Our focus is on repositioning the PDP as a strong opposition force. We are not in desperation to chase any individual.”

He also noted that the PDP has seen a wave of former members returning, including former governors from Jigawa and Niger States, reflecting the party’s ongoing internal consolidation.