A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Diran Odeyemi, has claimed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State is linked to the 2027 presidential ambition of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Naija News reports that Odeyemi made this assertion on Tuesday during an interactive session organised by the League of Veteran Journalists, Osun State chapter, in Osogbo.
He described the conflict in Rivers State as a microcosm of the larger crisis within the PDP at the national level, explaining that the factions supporting Governor Sim Fubara are aligned with Atiku, while those opposing him are loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The former PDP spokesperson urged Atiku to step down from the race for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket in the interest of peace within the party.
He also called on Wike to commit to restoring harmony within the PDP, adding that if both leaders fail to make these commitments, the crisis within the PDP will persist.
He said, “For peace to reign in the PDP, Atiku should openly declare that he has no interest in contesting the 2027 presidential election. Likewise, Wike should pledge his commitment to peace within the party.
“The two of them need to recognise their roles as leaders and elders in Nigeria. For the sake of the party and the country, they must agree that peace is necessary for the PDP to move forward. As long as party members continue to take sides with either of the two gladiators, the crisis will linger.”