The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has explained the reason behind the party leadership’s visit to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Turaki led a delegation of top PDP leaders to Obasanjo’s penthouse residence located within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library on Saturday.
Members of the delegation included former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu; Deputy National Chairman, Taofeek Arapaja; former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang; Ambassador Folake Marcus-Bello, alongside other senior party figures.
The delegation was received by the Ogun State Chairman of the party, Hon. Abayomi Tella, and other state executives before proceeding into a closed-door meeting with the former president.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, which lasted about 40 minutes, Turaki said the visit was aimed at seeking guidance, encouragement and support from Obasanjo following the emergence of a new PDP leadership.
Turaki, who emerged as the factional chairman of the party at the recent PDP convention held in Ibadan, described Obasanjo as a respected elder statesman whose experience and legacy in strengthening democratic institutions remain invaluable.
The former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs said the visit was deliberate and timely.
“Having been given the opportunity to serve, the new leadership of the opposition party thought it wise to visit Obasanjo to drink from his wealth of wisdom and seek for his blessings and support for the success of the new administration,” he said.
Turaki added that although the task of unseating the APC government in 2027 would be challenging, the interaction with Obasanjo had renewed the party’s confidence.
“Though the task ahead to send the APC government packing in 2027, due to their incompetence and maladministration, might not be a tea party, the frank talk the opposition party leaders had with Obasanjo has further inspired them that the task ahead was not impossible,” he stated.
He further explained that the visit was also an opportunity to formally introduce the newly elected leadership to the former president.
“As the newly elected PDP leadership during our recent congress at Ibadan, we came to introduce ourselves to our father, the former president under the PDP administration, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo,” he said.
Providing details of those present, Turaki said, “I didn’t come alone; the former Senate President and the BOT Chairman of our great party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, is here. Likewise, our National Secretary, the former deputy governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja, is also here. Two former governors of Niger and Plateau States, Alhaji Muazu Babangida Aliyu and Sen. Jonah Jang, are also part of the entourage, among others.”
He stressed that the visit was also to appreciate Obasanjo’s contributions to Nigeria’s democratic development.
“We came to thank the former president for his vision and contributions to strengthening our democracy and good governance while he was in power. We came to thank him for helping to build strong institutions that the country is enjoying till today,” he said.
Turaki said the former president offered guidance and encouragement that left the delegation inspired.
“We have also come to see the former president to draw inspiration from him as an oracle; we have come to get guidance, we have come to get advice, and we have equally come to get critical support because if we must succeed in the gargantuan assignment that has been thrust upon our shoulders, then we must come to people like Chief Obasanjo who have the prerequisite experience,” he added.
Using a proverb to describe the encounter, Turaki said, “There is a proverb that says, ‘A woman who started cooking before you must definitely have more broken pots.’ So we have come to see our father here in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, and we have spoken to Baba, and Baba too has spoken to us, and we are enriched.”
According to him, the meeting reinforced the party’s resolve ahead of 2027.
“We have also realised more than ever before now that yes, the task before us may not be an easy one, but from the inspiration and guidance that we have received from Baba today, we are more than ready to go all the way and take PDP back to the seat of power come 2027,” he said.
Turaki declared that the PDP was fully prepared for the 2027 elections, beginning with victories in forthcoming governorship contests.
“PDP is battle-ready for 2027, and as our mark of readiness, we shall take over Ekiti State and then follow up with Osun State,” he stated.
“By the time we win these two states, we shall leave no one in doubt that PDP, once again, is on the move; PDP is on the rise to chase out the APC government with all its incompetence and maladministration in 2027.”
Addressing party members at the Ogun State secretariat, Turaki urged PDP members nationwide to support the new leadership, assuring them that internal impunity had ended.
“The truth is that PDP is back and is on the rise to take its rightful place in the democratic process of the country,” he said.
He added that recent developments had unsettled the ruling party.
“The Nigerians could see that since our convention in Ibadan, the APC is now worried more than ever before; they know that the equation has changed and that PDP is ready to send them packing in 2027.”
In separate remarks, the party’s National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja, and Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, urged members to remain united and intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking separately, Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, said party members were delighted to host the newly elected national leadership.
“We are all very happy; our hope is rekindled. Now we know that the end has come to all the shenanigans of the past in the party; it is a new dawn, and we are all happy,” Tella said.
He warned that intimidation and harassment would not be tolerated in future elections.
“For 2027, the election will be about the people versus political parties. It doesn’t matter whether it’s APC or PDP. The people of Ogun State have tasted water and palm oil, and they are at home with the difference,” he said.
Tella added that the party and the people were determined to reclaim power.
“So together with the people, we are battle-ready for 2027. What happened in 2023 will not repeat itself; what happened during the Remo Federal Constituency by-election in August will not repeat itself.
“It’s the way they bring it that they will take it back; I am emphatic about this. We are all indigenes of this state; we are all residents of this state, and we have the right to vote and be voted for. You can’t pursue people away from voting for one party; we won’t allow that to happen in 2027.”
