Wike-backed PDP tackles Makinde, Bala Mohammed over alliance with APM

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Abdulraman Mohammed-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said contrary to the pictures being painted by Governors Bola Mohammed and Seyi Makinde of Bauchi and Oyo States respective, the party is not in any form of alliance with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

“Let us state clearly and unequivocally that the PDP is not part of any alliance, coalition, agreement, or political arrangement with the APM or any other political party regarding this gathering or any related political activity,” the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP faction, Jungudo Mohammed, stated this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.

The press conference was held in reaction to the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between the PDP and APM in Ibadan, Oyo State earlier in the day. Under the agreement, candidates of a faction of PDP backed by Makinde will contest the 2027 election on the platform of APC.

The Bauchi state governor had also entered into similar agreement with the APM.

Makinde had at a rally held after the signing of the MoU declared that he would contest the 2027 presidency under the PDP/APM alliance.

He also declared that the PDP/APM alliance will produce candidates that will contest for every position in 2027.

While disowning the alliance, Mohammed said that the PDP remained strong, united, and fully prepared to participate in the 2027 general elections without any legal or political impediments.

“Any person or group claiming to be acting on behalf of the PDP in connection with this event is doing so without the knowledge, approval, consent, or authority of the party.

“What is being presented to Nigerians as a political alliance is nothing more than another desperate attempt by Gov. Seyi Makinde and his associates to mislead the public and manufacture a false impression of political relevance and support,” he said.

Mohammed urged the members of the public to disregard what he described as propaganda, theatrics, and misleading narratives surrounding the Ibadan event.

“Again, for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to reiterate that the PDP has absolutely nothing to do with the gathering in Ibadan.

He added that contrary to the claim of Makinde, the PDP was conducting its screening exercise for governorship and presidential aspirants at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, the annex office of our national headquarters as the MOU was being signed in Ibadan.

“This is coming after yesterday’s successful completion of the States and National Assembly Screening exercise across the country,” he said.

The national publicity secretary of the PDP faction which is loyal to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, also accused both governors of sponsoring propaganda aimed at deliberately distorting and misrepresenting the Supreme Court judgment in order to create confusion within the party.

He, however, said that the reality was clearly demonstrated by the number of aspirants who obtained and submitted their nomination forms, under Mohammad and Sen. Samuel Anyawu-led PDP.

Mohammed asked why Makinde and Bala refused to remain within the structure they claimed to recognise by purchasing nomination forms from the so-called Kabiru Tanimu led Interim National Working Committee (iNWC).

The National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, fielding questions from newsmen said that the Mohammed led leadership has written to law enforcement agency and had alleged the Turaki-led NWC of impersonation.

“We have written to the security agencies, the Police, and the DSS on the issue of impersonation.

“They have already invited Sen. Adolphus Wabara, Turaki, and others who inuagurated themselves at the Shehu Yar’adua Center, where the so-called interim NWC was formed.

“So the matter is before the security agencies in Nigeria, and after that, we hope that they will be prosecuted,” he said.

On the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment on PDP leadership crisis, Anyanwu urged the media to be guided, saying Mohammed led NWC remained the recognised PDP leadership.

“There is only one PDP today. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been here, and has verified the current NWC,” Anyanwu said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)