Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has spoken about Peter Obi’s future in Nigerian politics and the 2027 presidential race.
In an interview with Nigeria Info FM, Showunmi explained that the PDP’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South gives Obi, who contested under the Labour Party in 2023, a chance to return. He said the Southeast region, where Obi comes from, has not yet produced a president through the PDP, even though other regions have been given the opportunity.
“I told Peter three months ago, it’s time to come back to the PDP,” Showunmi said. “The party owes the Southeast a ticket, and Peter has shown capacity.” So, he should return now.
However, Showunmi criticized Obi’s political style, accusing him of avoiding party primaries. Primaries are internal party elections where members pick their candidate for the main election. According to Showunmi, skipping primaries goes against the principles of democracy.
“The only thing is that Peter thinks he’s too clever,” he said. Showunmi stated that any politician who avoids primaries is simply looking for someone to cheat on his behalf. Primaries are the real test before the general election.
Showunmi also claimed Obi failed to properly manage the Labour Party, even after it gave him a platform in 2023.
He concluded by warning that Nigerians will not wait forever for Obi to become president. “Nigeria is not going to wait for Peter. If Peter cannot be president as an Igbo person, then one day, we will find an Igbo person (to support),” Sowunmi declared.
