Gov Aliyu denies leaving new PDP

The Daily Trust yesterday carried a report quoting an unnamed source close to the governor as revealing that the governor has chosen to leave the fold of the new PDP quietly to return to the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP.Following yesterday’s denial by the governor which claimed that the Daily Trust report was a lie, the paper […]

The Daily Trust yesterday carried a report quoting an unnamed source close to the governor as revealing that the governor has chosen to leave the fold of the new PDP quietly to return to the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP.
Following yesterday’s denial by the governor which claimed that the Daily Trust report was a lie, the paper has revealed that the information contained in its lead report of Tuesday was actually from the media aide to the governor, Danladi Ndayebo, who on Monday told our reporter with express approval that it should be reported that the governor is leaving the fold of the new PDP.
Daily Trust had reported the story based on the reliability of the source, supposing that such a revelation could not only be authentic and true but can only be given out with the full consent of the governor.
Ndayebo reliably informed our correspondent that Gov. Aliyu had pulled out of the new PDP saying the governor had succumbed to pressure from PDP stakeholders and in order to save his political career which was being threatened by the adventure with the leadership of the nPDP. The spokesman said that the governor has been under pressure from stalwarts of the ruling party, including the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and one-time Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority  (NTA), Mr Ben Bruce who met him at different times to plead with him to return to the party.
Governor Aliyu yesterday while playing host to the national president and other leaders of the Nigeria Civil Service Union in his office in Minna, described the Daily Trust report as an enemy action sponsored to break the ranks of the G-7 governors.
He said: “I woke up this morning with a rude shock that a newspaper that can call me at anytime to confirm a report would file such a report because I was not in a meeting. The paper went to town saying I have pulled out of G-7.
“The truth of the matter is that Babangida Aliyu is still a member and in fact, I am the leader of G-7.
“I regard that write-up as an enemy action. It was planted by people who are interested in breaking our ranks and who try to input motives where there are none. I see the hands of some people I can identify to have sponsored this article. I urge people not to make policies relating to all they read in the papers as some of these articles are sponsored.”
Aliyu said his absence from the Sunday meeting of the G-7 was not intentional and explained that he was absent partly because of the shift of the time of the meeting and his ill-health and that his colleagues were adequately informed and apologies sent through three governors  and wondered why his absence at the meeting could be misconstrued to mean he is pulling out of the group.
“On that day, I did not plan to leave Minna until 2pm since the meeting was slated for 8pm, then I got a call that the Sokoto State governor had requested a shift in time because he had a programme the next day on the opening of the state university and he requested that the meeting is shifted from 8pm to 2pm.
“So I sent an apology because there was no way I could meet up with them since I was still in Minna by 2pm. I spoke to three of my colleagues and asked them to help me tender my apologies especially as I was not feeling too well but I had intended to travel. When other of my colleagues were not around, I attended meetings on their behalf, I don’t see why my absence would be conjured to mean I have pulled out of the G7”, Aliyu explained.
He also said: “This is not the time for anyone to pull out of the party when out of respect for the office of the President and the President himself, we are discussing. There is no way you can wake up and say you are pulling out when you are already negotiating. You cannot pull out at this moment. The time for decision to be taken will be when we have concluded discussions with the President.
“After the conclusion and agreement at the end of the discussions, those who may be satisfied with the outcome will take their decision, the same with those not satisfied with the outcome. Despite anyone’s decision, we will still remain as Nigerians.”