Leaders tussle: No faction in PDP – Governor Bala

From Ahmad Muhammad, Bauchi

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has dispelled alleged reports of factions within the party.
Governor Bala said this at the end of their meeting with the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum who led PDP Chairmen from the North East on visit to him at Government House, Bauchi, on Friday, amidst report that Damagum had been suspended and Mohammed Ahmed Yayari was appointed as acting National.Chairman.
Despite the suspension Governor Bala said 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”, Bala said while fielding questions from journalists after their close door meeting.
He noted that the party 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 Bala Mohammed) as Chairman of Governors’ forum.
According to him: “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 however, 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. 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.