Teryima Andrew, Jos
Security operatives in Plateau state on Friday averted bloodshed between factions of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when the two factions clashed over ownership of party secretariat in Jos.
Addressing Journalists, a factional chairman of the party in the state Gyang Badung, who claim was the authentic PDP chairman in the state said national secretariat of the party does not recognize Damishi Sango, led faction.
According to Mr. Badung, he emerged state chairman of the party through a consensus, on the endorsement of it national chairman Ali Madu-sheriff
Explaining while he address Journalists away from the party secretariat, Badung said was on the advise of security operatives to avoid possible bloodshed.
“I am force to address you people outside party secretariat due to security challenges, we earlier scheduled to hold a meeting at our party secretariat, but we were advised otherwise by security operatives, as law abiding citizens we had to resort to address you people here.”
Badung alleged that Sango’s elections as state chairman was cancelled by the national secretariat following protest by members on alleged irregularities during the congress.
He describe Sango as a mastermind of problems militating against the party in Plateau state, which according to him warranted PDP losing governorship of the state to APC in the 2015 elections.
But insisted that the national secretariat of the party only recognize Mr. Sango as the party chairman.
Supporters of both factions clashed, as police had to use minimal force to maintain law and order at the entrance of the PDP secretariat in Jos.
In a reaction, Damishi Sango, one of the factional group who do not pay allegiance to Ali Modu-sheriff led group, describe the Badung faction as invaders.
“This morning I was told that some persons invaded our secretariat, but we thank God for police who refuse them assess into the Secretariat.”
Mr. Sango thanked police and other security operatives for securing the party Secretariat.
Sango call on party faithfuls to ignore the Badung led group and work for the progress of the party.