A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Diran Odeyemi, has attributed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s ambition to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
Odeyemi made this assertion on Tuesday during an interactive session organized by the League of Veteran Journalists, Osun State chapter, in Osogbo.
He linked the conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike to Atiku’s presidential ambitions.
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 the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to commit to restoring harmony within the PDP.
“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,” Odeyemi stated.
He warned that if both leaders fail to make these commitments, the crisis within the PDP would persist.
He added, “The two of them need to recognize 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.”
Odeyemi 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 Fubara are aligned with Atiku, while those opposing him are Wike’s loyalists.
Commenting on the administration of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Odeyemi, who serves as the Chairman of the Governing Council of Osun State College of Technology, Esa-Oke, praised the governor’s achievements, stating that Adeleke has recorded tremendous progress in various sectors within less than two years in office.
He commended Adeleke for effectively managing the state’s resources and reducing wastage, adding that more infrastructure upgrades can be expected in the coming years.