Chairman of the Governors Forum of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has declared that there is no factions within the party.
The declaration which was made by the Governor of Bauchi State, on Friday at the Government House while addressing questions from journalists as the leadership crisis rocking the party worsens with the gale of suspicions announced on Thursday and Friday by two factions of the National Working Committee (NWC).
The PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman vehemently dispelled the reports of fractionalistion within the party.
He was speaking when the embattled Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum led PDP Chairmen from the North East on visit to him at Government House, Bauchi, amidst report that Umar Damagum had been suspended.
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There were reports that a faction of the National Working Committee of PDP had suspended Umar Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu from offices, for alleged disloyalty to the party, and announced Ahmed Yayari, from Gombe State as Damagum’s replacement.
Earlier, a faction of the NWC aligned with Umar Damagum also announced the suspension of the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for alleged disloyalty to the party.
Despite these suspensions, Bala Mohammed maintained that the party remained intact and capable of addressing its internal crises.
According to him, “I would say that we have met and discussed these situations extensively with the Acting National Chairman and we have agreed to work together along with other party organs –the BOT, the members of the Governors’ Forum, the Caucus of the Senate and the House of Representatives to resolve all these issues and that is the major take away of this visit.”
Bala Mohammed assured that the party would deepened stockholdings and collaboration to address every issue disparaging members.
He described as perceptions, allegations of party disloyalty levelled against Umar Damagum and a reported plan to impeach him (Governor Mohammed) as Chairman of Governors’ Forum saying, “These are just manifestations because of body language.”
Bala Mohammed stressed that, “We have discussed everything on relationships and interrelations and disagreements and we have decided that henceforth we will not allow gaps”
He however egretted his disagreement with Umar Damagum saying it had been costly on both sides.
“I took a position that was against him and certainly you are going to have these disparaging manifestations that we have now decided henceforth we will not allow it,” he said.
He berated Journalists for creating imaginary divisions in the PDP whereas there is none adding that, “We are not recognising any faction.”
He said, “We are together as a party and we will definitely resolve all our issues. There is no faction in the PDP. That is the benefit of doubt that Damgum has done to me by coming and agreeing that we should do that.”
“The final decision does not rest on two of us but other members that are stakeholders within the PDP Governors’ forum, within the BOT and within the caucus and other stakeholders in the party,” he added.
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagun, had led PDP Chairmen from Six Northeastern states on a solidarity visit to the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, who also serves as the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.
The delegation, comprising PDP Chairmen from Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, and Borno States, met with Governor Bala Mohammed to discuss the challenges facing the party and explore ways to strengthen its structures in the region and the country.
During the visit, Ambassador Damagun emphasized the importance of unity within the party, stating that the meeting aimed to address critical issues and reinforce the PDP’s position in the country.
Governor Bala Mohammed expressed his gratitude for the visit, reaffirming his commitment to supporting the PDP and its leadership.
He pledged the Forum’s continuous backing of the party’s National Working Committee and its efforts to move the party forward.
The meeting proceeded into a closed-door session, where the delegation deliberated on party matters in a bid to chart a way forward for the PDP.
