Former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jacob Mark, has stated that 2027 presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, should be the one lobbying to rejoin the PDP—not the other way around.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, Mark argued that the PDP remains a deeply rooted and well-structured political institution, unlike others with minimal grassroots presence.
According to him, the PDP boasts 37 state chairmen, executives across all local government areas, and a strong network down to the ward level, making it an attractive platform for any serious politician.
He said, “The PDP is a massive political machine. Any politician serious about winning an election should be interested in aligning with it. We shouldn’t be the ones begging someone to return.”Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, left the PDP in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections after realizing he wouldn’t clinch the party’s presidential ticket.
He defected to the Labour Party, where he ran for president and finished third, behind the APC and PDP candidates, according to INEC.While figures like Professor Jerry Gana have publicly encouraged Obi to consider returning to the PDP ahead of 2027, Jacob Mark emphasized that such sentiments remain personal opinions and not an official party stance.
Mark clarified:
“There was no evidence that Peter Obi was denied the opportunity to contest in the PDP primaries in 2023. He voluntarily exited before the process began and chose to join the Labour Party.”
He acknowledged that Obi remains a marketable political figure, stating:
“There’s no denying Peter Obi is a strong brand, and any party would be lucky to have him. Likewise, the PDP is also a major brand. If two powerful brands come together, the results could be significant—but we’re not there yet.”
He further stressed that PDP’s priority should be internal reorganization and strengthening its role as the main opposition party, not chasing individuals:
“Peter Obi’s return is entirely his choice—it’s not a premium or mandatory desire. If he comes back, he’ll be welcomed. Just as others who left and have returned were welcomed.”Mark concluded by reinforcing PDP’s structural dominance:“Unlike parties with only a national chairman, we have a full hierarchy—state, local government, and ward executives.
That’s what makes PDP a formidable force, and anyone with presidential ambitions should see the value in that rather than expecting to be begged to return.”
