Bala Mohammed: Obi or Jonathan may get PDP presidential ticket

By Awwal Owolabi

29 August 2025

Politics

Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor, has revealed PDP’s desire to consider Peter Obi or Goodluck Jonathan as the 2027 presidential flagbearer.

He made the statement on Thursday on Channels TV’s Politics Today program while discussing the party’s recent presidential zoning decision .

The Bauchi state governor, who is an active member of the PDP governors’ forum, could not help but heap praises on both individuals.

He not only acknowledged the impact of Jonathan as a former president of the federation but also spoke highly of 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, whom he referred to as “brother”.

“Jonathan remains one of the most celebrated politicians today despite previous political blackmail against him.

“And certainly, he is one of the candidates we are thinking of, if he joins us and opens his mind to run,” Bala Mohammed says.

Speaking further, he mentioned that the party has courted Obi as a possible contender, too. And arrangements are being made to talk him into joining the party he left in 2023, to join Labour Party.

“And even other people like Governor Obi, because if he decides to come to a better platform where there are no encumbrances, he will be given the opportunity too.

“And of course, he’s one of the most celebrated politicians too. You see him within the coalition or no coalition. Definitely, we are not sleeping, only that we don’t make noise,” he added.

Bala Mohammed, however, said the party will not shut the door on other viable candidates, as they aim to field the best person who can solve Nigerians’ problems.

He noted that other southern politicians, including Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, are also free to contest the ticket.

“There are so many politicians. I even had a session with Governor Amaechi. I have not been sleeping. I have to make sure I create a closing-of-rank for people to come and help,” he said.

Bala Mohammed reiterated that PDP lost the 2023 election because it failed to zone the presidential ticket to the south and as such cannot afford to make the same mistake.

However, some members of the PDP still believe that zoning the presidential ticket to the south is a big error and want the decision to be looked into.