The PDP Concerned Group, a subgroup within the Kogi state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party, has refuted claims that it sought the exclusion of Governor Idris Wada from the forth coming governorship polls.
In a six-page statement signed by five of its members, Husseini Idris, Mohammed Bello, Taiye Oshadare, Emmanuel Sani and Ishaya Yusuf, the group said it had nothing to do with the authorship of the letter dated July 8 2015.
It called on the central body of the party to investigate the source of the earlier letter.
According to the statement, the group said it was too responsible to be dragged into a campaign of calumny against its state leader, adding that the failure of the state in the 2015 general election was unconnected to the governor’s health condition.
It described the allegations of ill-health of the governor as wicked and callous.
“We are living witnesses to the honesty, dedication and commitment with which our governor has directed the affairs of the state,” the statement noted.
The statement said the allegations were a ploy by the opposition to destroy the party from within.
“If not how can loyal party members falsify the achievements of a PDP administration so much,” the statement queried.
It attributed the loss of the party in the general elections to the unnecessary tussle for leadership by some members.
The statement enumerated other factors that led to the failure of the party to include a strong pro-Buhari sentiment across the country and failure to mobilize voters, despite available funds.
Other factors listed were connivance of security forces with the opposition which resulted in an outright cancellation of results in certain PDP strong holds as well as fierce conspiracy, among others.
The statement further said the victory of the party in the House of Assembly elections, within the state was evidence of the peoples’ approval of Mr. Wada’s administration.
Against its earlier claim, the group through its statement called Mr. Wada a peacemaker who went out of his way to promote the party in the general elections in the state, and delivered his ward to the PDP.
It decried what it described as the desperation of high political office holders engaging in disgraceful conducts.
According to the statement, allegations of none payment of salaries were also refuted.
Reacting to the recent development, the special adviser to the Kogi State governor, Jacob Edi, said it was proof of the group’s irresponsible nature, adding that faceless groups with malicious claims, against the governor will soon reveal their sponsors.
“I salute the courage of the people who came out today to tell the world the truth. It is a mark of honour to acknowledge that you have lied and to come out to say the truth,” Mr. Edi stated.
