From Paul Orude, Bauchi
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has dispelled reports of factions within the party.
He made the disclosure when the party’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, led PDP chairmen from the North East on a visit to him at Government House, Bauchi, on Friday, amidst reports that Damagum had been suspended.
There were reports that a faction of the National Working Committee of PDP had suspended Damagum and National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, for alleged disloyalty to the party.
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 the suspensions, Governor Mohammed maintained that the party remained intact and capable of addressing its internal crises.
“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 closed-door meeting. Mohammed assured that the party would deepen stockholdings and collaboration to address every issue. 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.