The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State has reaffirmed the suspension of former Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu for alleged anti-party activities.
This is despite the intervention of the North Central Zonal Caretaker Committee of the party which rejected the suspension of Babangida by the Niger State chapter of the party.
According to the PDP in Niger State, Babangida remains suspended for reportedly working with some other party members to work against the 2015 re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
It will be recalled that the PDP in the Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State had suspended former Governor, Babangida Aliyu from the party.
According to a communique issued at the end of a stakeholders’ meeting in Minna about three weeks ago, the decision to suspend the former governor was as a result of six weighty allegations which the party in his LGA reportedly found disturbing and considered to be inimical to the progress of the party.
But the North Central Zonal Caretaker Committee, overseeing the activities of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State, in its reaction, dismissed reports that a former governor of the state, Babangida Aliyu, was suspended.
Aliyu also described his suspension from the PDP as a joke of the century, saying that he is the leader of the party in Niger state.
He described the statement by a group in Chanchaga LGA announcing his suspension as laughable and should therefore be disregarded.
Aliyu noted that the group is seeking political relevance and position, urging Nigerians to beware of those who would stop at nothing to tarnish others’ image or reputation.
But the party leaders and faithful in the three senatorial districts of Niger State on Tuesday, reaffirmed their support for the suspension of Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu through their spokesman, Mallam Yahaya Mohammed Usman.
Usman said Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has vindicated their position when he also affirmed that Aliyu undermined the party and owes the PDP a public apology.
He said, “We have been vindicated, we had told Nigerians and indeed Nigerlites that Dr. Aliyu betrayed us and worked for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“He betrayed the Party, President Goodluck Jonathan and our Governorship candidate, Alhaji Umar Nasko. We have said it and we head it that he donated funds to the opposition party”.
The PDP spokesman added, “We reaffirm the elevation of former Deputy Governor, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi as new leader for Aliyu’s Zone.”
Wike was quoted to have said while speaking on a live interview on African independent television (AIT) that: “So we were campaigning not knowing you (Dr Aliyu) was undermining us, and then you also ran for the senate in that election and lost, Aliyu Babangida owes an apology to the PDP”.
Meanwhile, the camp of former President Jonathan has labelled Aliyu as a pathological liar and backstabber after his claims that the 19 Northern Governors worked against Jonathan in 2015 because there was an agreement that the former president would serve only one term.
