PDP’s Fielding of Atiku in 2023 Was a Mistake – Senator Abba Moro

A senior figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Abba Moro, has said the party made a mistake by fielding Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections.

Moro, who represents Benue South in the National Assembly and serves as the Senate Minority Leader, expressed regret over the decision, describing the election outcome as deeply disappointing.

“Given how the election turned out and the message from the Nigerian electorate, fielding Atiku was clearly an error,” he said. “To lose such a significant election in that manner is something the party sincerely regrets.”

The PDP lost the 2023 presidential election to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), whose candidate, Bola Tinubu, emerged victorious. Atiku came second.

Nearly two years after the defeat, Atiku has left the PDP and has not yet announced a new political platform.

With the 2027 elections approaching, there is growing speculation that the PDP is working behind the scenes to persuade former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to return to the party.

Since his loss to former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, Jonathan has largely stayed away from partisan politics and has not been visibly active within the PDP. Similarly, Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in 2019, left the party for the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 election, eventually becoming its presidential candidate.

Obi’s departure was reportedly due to internal frustrations within the PDP—an account Moro confirmed.

According to Moro, discussions are ongoing to bring both figures back into the fold ahead of 2027.

“In preparation for the next election cycle, I’m aware that some individuals have reached out to Peter Obi, urging him to return, with assurances that he could be a strong contender for the party’s ticket,” he said.

When asked about the chances of Jonathan making a political comeback under the PDP, Moro responded, “There are conversations happening with the former president. It’s certainly a possibility.”