Premium News
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has criticised some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) abandoning the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling their action as cowardly.
Speaking at the inauguration of the media sub-committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Mohammed said staying back to fight is what makes a man.
The PDP has been embroiled in crisis since the conduct of the presidential primaries for the 2023 general elections, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar against the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The party’s crises have been compounded by the defection of some governors, including those of Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno.
Reports have also emerged that the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, will on Tuesday declare for the APC, with some speculating that the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, may follow suit.
However, addressing members of the media sub-committee and other stakeholders, the Bauchi Governor expressed confidence in the forthcoming convention and the PDP’s strength, saying no dark force could succeed against the party.
He said, “By the grace of God, no Jupiter will stop us. No dark forces will succeed over us. The dark forces — if they succeed over PDP, they have succeeded over Nigeria.”
He emphasised that the PDP is ready to change the country’s leadership style, adding that the party has the requisite machinery to conduct a successful convention.
“We have to change governance style of this country, and this is the beginning. This is the time to do it. We have never suffered as a country as we are suffering today under the APC. You have seen what is happening. We don’t have to go into deep melancholy and be crying as whipping boys or girls.
“We thank the convention committee for giving us the opportunity to do that.
“We are going to constitute sub-committees that will go into swift interaction, so that we will start informing Nigerians about what we are doing — what the convention committee is doing. We will work with all the committees or sub-committees of the convention because we are interconnected with all of them.
“They make up this system, and that is what we are here to do. We have the experience. We have been doing conventions. When I was FCT Minister, we conducted conventions with most of you. Mike Omeri is here. So, it is not rocket science. We are going to do it by the grace of God. And seeing the human capital here, I know our task is made easy because you can deliver.”
Speaking on the defections in the party, the Governor tasked party members not to be deterred, stressing that it’s an act of cowardice to leave the party because of one or few individuals.
“We are confident. Please, be emboldened. Don’t be disturbed by the defections, by the shenanigans, by all those doubting Thomases. Don’t be disturbed. You should be encouraged because staying back to fight is what makes a man or a woman. It’s an act of cowardice to leave because of one or two people. You are also men and women of strength and integrity. We thank you most sincerely for coming on short notice to attend this inauguration meeting.” he said.
When asked specifically about reports of Governor Mbah’s potential defection, Mohammed said, “Governor Mbah has not told me he is is leaving the PDP.”
