Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence has warned Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and the PDP Governors’ Forum, which he leads, against interfering in the Rivers state crisis, cautioning that such involvement could result in significant setbacks for the party in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued by its national chairman, Hon. Haruna Bature, the group expressed concern over what it described as Governor Bala Mohammed’s “desperate desire” to entangle the PDP Governors’ Forum in the Rivers State PDP conflict.
The group further suggested that the Bauchi governor’s actions might be motivated by his own 2027 presidential ambitions or an effort to clear the path for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to make another run for the presidency.
While calling on the governors’ forum leader to thread with caution, the Group said, the PDP had since its defeat by the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 Presidential Elections experienced serious self-inflicted political setbacks caused by internal political interferences, compromises of internal party systems and abuses or violations of members’ rights.
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According to the group, “The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence observes with great dismay the desperate desire by Gov. Bala Muhammed of Bauchi State to drag the PDP Governors’ Forum into the Rivers State PDP Crisis.
“The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence wishes to remind Gov. Bala Muhammed that the Wards, Local Government Area, and State Congresses in Rivers State have been successfully completed on the 31st of August, 2024.
“Consequently, after our thorough background investigation, we observed with disdain the sudden heightened interest of Gov. Bala Muhammed in the oil-rich Rivers State Political Crisis between the F.C.T. Minister, Chief Barr. E.N. Wike and Gov. Sim Fubara of Rivers State are strongly linked to Gov. Bala Muhammed’s political ambition to either run for the Presidency in 2027 or to pave the way for Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to run again in 2027.
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since its defeat by the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 Presidential Elections has experienced serious self-inflicted political setbacks caused by internal political interferences, compromises of internal party systems, and abuses or violations of members’ rights, which Gov. Bala Muhammed is obviously yet to realize.
“We wish to categorically State that the F.C.T. Minister, Chief Barr. E.N. Wike as a major stakeholder and National Leader of the Party is not a personality to be toyed with to the extent of recklessly interfering in the political affairs of his state.
“The last time we checked, the loss of the PDP in the 2023 Presidential Elections was largely due to the political stance against injustice in the Zoning of the Presidential ticket by Chief Barr. E.N. Wike led the PDP Governors Integrity Group.
“The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence regrets to state that a similar situation is gradually brewing which may cost the Party dearly in more political losses if not immediately nipped in the bud.
“We therefore call on Gov. Bala Muhammed to immediately caution himself and refrain from further interferences in the affairs of Rivers State,” the statement read.