Segun Adewale, factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos, says the ongoing crisis in the party is due to Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential ambition.

In a statement, Adewale said there were external forces working to install Abubakar, a former vice president, as the party’s 2019 presidential candidate.

He accused the Ahmed Markafi faction of the party if working against the interest and progress of the party ahead of 2019 presidential election.

“These agents are working towards the nomination Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as our presidential flag bearer in the 2019 general election,” he said.

“They have resorted to cheap blackmail as it is becoming obvious that the efforts of Ali Modu Sheriff at frustrating every attempt to impose a non party member as our presidential nominee is beginning to gain the attention of well-meaning members.

“If you x-ray recent activities in the party and comments of the Markafi led illegal faction, it’s obvious who is working against the general interest of our party. Everything is about Abubakar Atiku’s ambition to be President in 2019. There is no point going through the back door as there is room within the party for every genuine member seeking elective office.”

He said the factions within the PDP had failed to reconcile because “Markafi reneged on the proposal that two of them step down and for former President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan to head the committee”.

“It is unfortunate that it seems while Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is all about rebuilding PDP to a formidable opposition party that can stand against the current charade and  political ineptitude of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), the other faction is busy negotiating a mega party deal with some aggrieved members of the ruling APC,” he added.