The Governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, on Wednesday observed that external forces are now aggravating the crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, warning that such persons should steer clear of the dispute.
Aliyu, who spoke when he received the Commander, Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army, Kotangora, Niger State, Major General Hussein Abayomi Saliu, declared that “the PDP has the capacity to resolve whatever differences it has”.
According to him: “We must not allow people who are outside the party to get so enmeshed in the problem that is not their own and in the process kill that which we want to build.
“What is happening in PDP is an internal affair because I am beginning to see a sign as if some people don’t want reconciliation.
“The kind of articles they are planting in some newspapers shows that they don’t want reconciliation.
“I need to draw your attention to this because I have been reading a lot of articles they planted to create more animosity and anarchy that will make reconciliation difficult.”
Aliyu, who is one of the G-7 governors at the centre of the crisis, noted that they (G-7 governors) who are involved in the situation are mature enough to know when to hold and when to go.
He argued that the essence of the crisis that has plagued the PDP since the Special National Convention held at the Eagle Square, Abuja last month, which led to the walkout of the venue by seven governors and their delegates, was about “democracy”.
He said: “The whole essence is about democracy and morality.
“Democracy in the country may not necessarily flourish.
“Morality means that if you make an agreement, whether privately or publicly, we must learn to keep it.
“It comes to a time when you give me, I will give you that.
“These are internal aspect of the party.
“We have the capacity to resolve whatever the differences are.”
Aliyu said the whole essence of the struggle is to build a democratic culture in politicians to the extent that their words will always be their bond.
He commended the military in the country for growing to become one of the most educated groups in the country and challenged parents to make the education of their children top priority.
While suggesting that all civilians should have military training, the governor also restated his earlier call for the extension of the National Youth Service Corps programme to 18 months from the present 12 months, adding that the last six months should be devoted to military training of the youth corps members.
According to him: “This will create a disciplined society.
“Training is very important.
“If you want to keep pace with development, we must challenge our brains.”
Earlier, Saliu had commended the cordial relationship between the military and civil population in Niger State and the support given to security agencies in the state by the Niger State Government.
Saliu said the Army is currently training its officers and men on how to tackle the insurgents in parts of the country using communication.
According to him: “We are trying to bring all security agencies together to see how we can all tackle the security challenges.”
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