The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elder statesman and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, has advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition and rally behind Labour Party leader Peter Obi.
Speaking on the fragmentation of opposition alliances and rising regional anxieties, Gana argued that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) requires a selfless recalibration of leadership.
“If I were Atiku, I would tell Obi: ‘Go for the Presidency! I will fully support you for the sake of Nigerians,’” Gana declared, urging unity over personal ambition.
Gana’s remarks underscore the urgent need for a consolidated front to avoid another electoral setback.
By spotlighting Obi’s grassroots momentum, Gana validates the perception that Obi commands broader demographic resonance. The call intensifies scrutiny on Atiku’s coalition-building efforts, which have already faced setbacks over regional balancing and running mate disputes.
Gana’s stance highlights a widening divide between PDP veterans and reformist voices pushing for a new opposition strategy.
Analysts see Gana’s intervention as a pivotal moment in shaping opposition negotiations. While Atiku has sought to build alliances through the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other blocs, Gana’s endorsement of Obi signals that influential elites may prefer a coalition centered on Obi’s candidacy.
Whether Atiku concedes or presses forward with his multi-party roadmap remains one of the defining questions of the 2027 political season.