- Ologbondiyan rejected claims that PDP’s internal crisis is why governors are leaving; instead, he blames APC-led political intimidation.
- He urged PDP to focus efforts on preventing more defections rather than dwelling on the outcome of Rivers state.
A chieftain within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kola Ologbondiyan, has alleged that party governors are under intense pressure to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made this known following the meeting held between President Bola Tinubu, the currently suspended Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara, and Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
You’ll recall that in March, during the unresolved tension involving Wike and Fubara, President Tinubu announced emergency measures in Rivers, removing Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
Nevertheless, on Sunday, President Tinubu convened a private meeting with both men, where they reconciled their differences and appeared together afterward in a smiling photograph.
Elsewhere, PDP Governors Sheriff Oborevwori from Delta State and Umo Eno from Akwa Ibom State have left the party and pledged allegiance to APC.
The governors attributed their decision to the prolonged disorder within the Peoples Democratic Party, which they believe no longer represents their political interests or aspirations.
While appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily this Tuesday, Ologbondiyan dismissed claims suggesting PDP’s instability is the reason governors are joining the ruling APC.
According to him, elected PDP governors are experiencing coercion and intimidation aimed at pushing them into supporting APC ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections nationwide.
Ologbondiyan also acknowledged that Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers situation marks a serious political loss for the Peoples Democratic Party’s internal strength and strategic advantage.
“Talking about the river situation, I will be honest and I think that the PDP did all it could, some on a negative side, others on a positive side,” he said.
“I think the takeaway for the Peoples Democratic Party in this matter is that its governors are being harassed.
“They are being humiliated, and whether they can openly say it or not, they are being forced to abandon their party and join the All Progressive Congress and President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political party.”
Despite the recent setbacks, Ologbondiyan encouraged the PDP to move past the Rivers episode and stay focused on preventing more defections from their current governors.