The Peoples Democratic Governors Forum (PDP-GF) on Tuesday announced that the internal crisis rocking the party has been resolved.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed, stated this in an interview with reporters at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja after the Forum meeting.
Muhammad said stakeholders within the party had agreed to revoke all suspensions within the National Working Committee (NWC) and maintain the status quo.
He said the forum held a meeting alongside the National Assembly and the Board of Trustees (BoT) and reaffirmed that “there are no factions in the PDP. There are no factions.”
“All the suspensions you heard about were resolved by the governor, the NWC, the parliamentary caucus and the BoT.
“There is no faction. Everything has returned to the status quo under Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum until the governor and other organs of the party settle down and resolve all issues.
“There is no political party without problems. Some of them are legal and we do not want to pre-empt the outcome of legal proceedings.
“Therefore, any speculation or perception that may have come out is wrong.
“Both parties agreed that in the interest of the party and Nigeria, there should be a return to the status quo prior to the suspension and counter-suspension.
“These suspensions have been lifted. There is no more suspension. That is the determination of the PDP-GF,” he said.
Mr. Mohammed advised party members to sacrifice and unite.
“Sure, we may have some bad feelings here and there, but it should be buried. Our personal feelings should not be allowed to create perceptions that divide us. It’s not,” he said.
Asked if the party’s NWC meeting on October 24 would still be held, Mr Mohammed said the governor, BoT and NWC would consult.
Also speaking to reporters at the airport, the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, said there was no crisis within the party.
Damagum said some people just want to take advantage of the situation.
He urged the media not to escalate the situation even in the absence of a crisis.
“As far as I’m concerned, the governor is our leader, he’s an important institution in this party, and when he speaks, we have to look at it holistically and follow it.” he said.
When asked if the two suspended members of the NWC, Mr. Debo Ologunagba and Mr. Kamarudeen Ajibade, had left the PDP, Damagum said they were still with the party.
Meanwhile, a communiqué released by the PDP-GF after the virtual meetings of the forum held on Monday and Tuesday said the party was cautious in dealing with issues, especially those where legal disputes are pending.
The communiqué signed by Mr. Muhammad said that after consultation with the BOT, NWC and other party organs, the forum resolved that “the NWC should return to the status quo and remain united in the interest of the party and the nation.” It is stated that it was done.
“We also resolved that all suspensions imposed on officials within the NWC be lifted immediately.
“There are no factions within the party and trivial issues should not be blown out of proportion.
“We also urge those in positions of responsibility to keep in mind their oath to serve the party by reinforcing the dreams of our founding fathers and to make it grow stronger and stronger. “We ask for this,” the communiqué said.
According to the communiqué, other participants at the virtual meeting were the governors of Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, Oyo, Osun, Zamfara Delta, Adamawa, Plateau and Enugu states.
NAN reports that on Friday, two factions of the NWC were created within the PDP, with each faction suspending key officers of the NWC.
The Damagum-led faction of the NWC has suspended the party’s National Public Relations Secretary, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, and the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Kamarudeen Ajibade, on suspicion of dishonesty.
The faction also appointed Mr. Manga and Mr. Osuoha as acting national publicity secretary and acting national legal adviser, respectively.
Meanwhile, another faction of the NWC also announced the suspension of Damagumu and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu for their alleged anti-party activities in a statement by Ologunagba.
The faction also announced Alhaji Yayari Mohammed as the new acting chairman of the party.
