Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Leader of of the G7 group of reformist Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state governors which constitutes the backbone of the New PDP, has vowed never to abandon his colleagues.

Dr. Aliyu, who is also governor of Niger State and chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, made the vow while debunking reports that he had pulled out of the G7 and the New PDP.

Clearing the air yesterday while hosting the national president and other leaders of the Nigeria Civil Service Union in Minna, the Niger State capital, a visibly angry Aliyu 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 G7. The truth of the matter is that Babangida Aliyu is still a member and, in fact, I am the leader of G7.”

Continuing, the governor said: “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.”

Dr. Aliyu declared that as a key member of G7, it is unimaginable for him to dump the group or the New PDP. On his absence from Sunday’s New PDP caucus meeting in Abuja believed to have fuelled the speculations, Aliyu said:

“The day we were to hold the meeting, I wasn’t feeling well but I had the intention to go and because my state capital is the nearest to Abuja, I usually estimate the time of arrival and drive straight to Abuja.

“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.”

The governor made it clear that no member of the faction intends to pull out of the party until the end of their dialogue and negotiation with President Goodluck Jonathan.

As he put it: “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 discussion with the President.

“After the conclusion and agreement at the end of the discussion, 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.

“The whole essence of G7 is to ensure that there is democracy in the ruling party believing that if there is no democracy in PDP, there cannot be democracy in the country.

“It is not the question of saying we gang up to jump one party to the other. That is an option but that is a decision that will be taken after we have finished discussion with the President and arriving at the conclusion.”

•Photo shows Governor Babangida Aliyu.

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