Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of efforts to reposition the party for a possible return to power in the 2027 general elections.

The factional Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, SAN, led other members of his executive to the penthouse residence of the former president at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The closed-door meeting lasted about 40 minutes.

Among those in the entourage of the new PDP leadership were the Board of Trustees Chairman and former Senate President, Sen. Adolphus Wabara; the National Secretary and former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja; two former governors of Niger and Plateau states, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu and Sen. Jonah Jang; the party’s governorship candidate for the forthcoming elections, and Dr. Wole Oluyede, among others.

After the meeting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Ini Ememobong, said Obasanjo urged the leaders to maintain strict discipline within the party to safeguard its future. He noted that the former president emphasized discipline as the foundation for effective party administration.

“It was a consultative meeting where we discussed the state of the nation, democracy, and the party. We had very fruitful discussions, and he tasked us to continue our work while keeping discipline at the core of our administration. He stressed that indiscipline destroys everything,” Ememobong said.

He added that the party leadership assured the ex-president that his counsel would be taken seriously, with efforts to strengthen internal discipline and ensure members adhere to the rules and values of the PDP to protect the party’s unity and credibility.

Turaki said they visited Obasanjo to seek his guidance and support ahead of what he described as the “gargantuan task” of dislodging the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. He described the former president as a highly experienced elder statesman whose legacy in building strong institutions contributed to democratic growth in the country.

The former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs under former President Goodluck Jonathan explained that the new leadership saw it as prudent to consult Obasanjo to draw from his experience and secure his blessings for the success of the administration.

Turaki acknowledged that removing the APC government in 2027 due to incompetence and maladministration would be challenging, but the discussions with Obasanjo gave the leaders confidence that the task was achievable. He said the PDP was battle-ready, pointing to plans to reclaim Ekiti and Osun states as a demonstration of their readiness.

“PDP is prepared for 2027. Winning Ekiti and Osun states will show that the party is on the rise and ready to challenge the APC government for its failures,” Turaki said.

Addressing party members later at the state secretariat, Turaki urged global PDP members to support the new leadership, emphasizing that the era of impunity within the party was over and members would be free to support their preferred candidates during elections.

“The PDP is back and reclaiming its rightful place in the democratic process. Since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is more concerned than ever. They know the equation has changed, and PDP is ready for 2027,” he said.

The National Secretary, Arapaja, and BoT Chairman, Wabara, in separate remarks, encouraged party members to stay united and begin large-scale mobilization.

Speaking at the event, the Ogun State chairman of the party, Abayomi Tella, said members were pleased to be the first state to receive the new leadership after their election in Ibadan three weeks earlier. Tella stressed that the opposition was prepared to defeat the APC in 2027 and warned against harassment and intimidation in future elections.

“For 2027, the election will be about the people versus political parties. The people of Ogun State have experienced the difference in governance and will take the lead with PDP’s support. Everyone is tired of maladministration under the APC. Together with the people, we are ready for 2027. Past events, like the 2023 elections and the Remo Federal Constituency by-election, will not be repeated. Residents have the right to vote freely, and no one will prevent that,” Tella said.