Atiku 

Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have reportedly shifted blame to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the party’s deepening internal crisis and are now making strategic moves to mend fences with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Sources within the party revealed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde recently met with Wike in Lagos to discuss ways to resolve lingering disputes that have fractured the party since its 2023 electoral defeat.Makinde was said to be representing PDP governors, while Wike spoke on behalf of his loyalists.

The high-stakes meeting reportedly addressed several key issues: the bitter feud between Wike and Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, the ongoing leadership wrangling in the South-South zone, and the controversial National Secretary position that has remained unresolved since late 2024.

“Makinde and Wike agreed that all sides need to make concessions,” a source close to the discussions disclosed. “They believe this is necessary to rebuild trust and ensure unity within the PDP.”

Wike, while pledging loyalty to the party, criticized the PDP Governors Forum for making decisions he claimed were outside the bounds of party laws. He emphasized that the Forum’s interventions had only worsened tensions instead of resolving them.

Governor Makinde, on his part, expressed disappointment over the conduct of some party officials, describing it as disrespectful and counterproductive. Both leaders agreed to encourage a political rather than legal resolution to the ongoing disputes.

Part of their consensus included revisiting the zonal congress outcomes and the party’s leadership decisions to ensure broader inclusion.

Meanwhile, cracks within the PDP widened further in April when Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), delivering a heavy blow to the opposition party’s morale and 2027 prospects.

Amid the internal turmoil, top party figures have directed blame at Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of fuelling division through his persistent presidential ambition.

A senior member of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, called on Atiku to publicly step back from the 2027 race for the sake of party unity. “Atiku has contested twice under the PDP and failed,” the NWC member said. “It’s time for him to let go. His ambition is tearing the party apart.”

Odeyemi added that Atiku, as a senior figure, holds the power to restore peace by putting the party’s survival ahead of his personal goals.

However, the former vice president’s camp swiftly rejected the allegations. His media adviser, Paul Ibe, described the accusations as baseless and accused critics of scapegoating Atiku for problems they created themselves.

“Blaming Atiku is like a son blaming his father for his own failure,” Ibe said. “Atiku is committed to the PDP. He’s working behind the scenes to rebuild the party and should not be targeted for wanting to contest in a democratic process.”

As the countdown to 2027 continues, the PDP faces a crucial test: Can it overcome its internal strife, unify its leaders, and offer a credible challenge to the APC?

With defections mounting and trust eroding, the next steps taken by party elders and governors could determine whether the PDP survives the storm—or sinks deeper into political obscurity.

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