‘No Faction in PDP’, Bauchi Governor assures, as season of suspensions hit party

From Paul Orude Bauchi

As the crisis rocking the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) worsens, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, has dispelled reports of factions within the party.

Mohammed stated this when the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum led PDP Chairmen from the North East  on a visit to him at Government House, Bauchi, on Friday, amidst report that Damagum had been suspended.

A faction of the National Working Committee of the PDP had allegedly suspended Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, 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 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, Governor Mohammed maintained that the party remained intact and capable of addressing its internal crises.

“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 to resolve all these issues and that is the major take away of this visit,” he said while fielding questions from journalists after their close door meeting.

Mohammed assured that the parry would deepened stockholdings and collaboration to address  every issue disparaging members.

He described as perceptions allegations of party disloyalty levelled against Damagum and a reported plan to impeach him (Governor Mohammed) as Chairman of Governors’ forum

“These are just manifestations because of body language,” he said.

“We have discussed everything on relationships and interrelations and disagreements and we have decided that henceforth we will not allow gaps”

He regretted his disagreement with 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

“We are not recognising any faction,” he stated pointblank.

 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”