PDP leadership meets Obasanjo, vows political comeback

By Adejoke Adeleye

The newly elected leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Chairman Kabiru Turaki Tanimu, has met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo to review the party’s strategy and reposition it ahead of future electoral contests.

The meeting, which took place on saturday , also had in attendance other members of the party’s national executive and senior figures from across the country.

Speaking after the engagement, Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, said the visit was aimed at drawing inspiration from Obasanjo, whom he described as a key architect of Nigeria’s democratic journey under the PDP.

According to him, the party laid a strong democratic foundation during Obasanjo’s tenure as President, which helped entrench democratic values in the country.

“We came to introduce ourselves to Baba (Obasanjo) as the new leaders elected in Ibadan, but we did not come alone. We came with other leaders of our party, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu; former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang; and leaders from the South West and Ogun State.

“We are here to say thank you to Baba for all he did as PDP President, for his vision, for laying the foundation for democracy to grow in Nigeria, and for assisting PDP to build strong institutions which helped Nigeria grow over the past years,” he said.

Turaki added that the party leadership also sought Obasanjo’s guidance and counsel as it prepares for what he described as a difficult but achievable task of reclaiming political power.

“We have not just come here to introduce ourselves; we have also come to take inspiration from the oracle himself. We came for guidance, advice and critical support. We have spoken to Baba and Baba has spoken to us. We are enriched with wisdom more than ever now. We realise the task is not an easy one, but with what we have tapped now, we are ready to take power back to the people.

“I can assure you that PDP is ready and, as a mark of our readiness, we are taking over Ekiti State. Following that, we will take over the Presidency and take Nigeria to the promised land. PDP is on the rise and APC is more worried than ever,” Turaki said.

Also speaking, the party’s state chairman, Hon. Nureni Abayomi Tella, vowed that the PDP would not repeat the mistakes that cost it in the 2023 general election and subsequent by-elections.

“We are back and taking charge in 2027. We will not allow what happened during the 2023 general election and by-elections to repeat itself, and we mean every word. It is going to be fire for fire,” he declared.