Adamawa branch splits into Buhari, Atiku camps

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April 11, 2016 11:13 AM

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has been divided into President Muhammadu Buhari's faction and that of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

A look into the issues that are currently fanning a bitter rivalry in the state shows that both camps are strategizing to ensure their interests excel in the 2019 general elections.

There are strong indications that President Buhari loyalists are strategizing to stop former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who has commenced consultation on whether or not he should contest for the 2019 Presidential election.

The faction loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari is championed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, David Babachir Lawal, while that of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is led by the state governor, Mohammed Jubrilla Bindow.

Recall that the crises commenced following the former acting APC Chairman in Adamawa State, Shuaibu Yamusa who was earlier sacked by the Adamawa State governor, died in Kano. Not only that, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Alhaji Abdulrahman Abba Jimeta and the APC Chairman of Yola South local government, Hon. Salihu Baba Ahmed were reported to have exchanged blows during a meeting at Atiku's house in February.

Babachir Lawal, who is leading the Buhari’s camp, is a staunch supporter of the President and has been with him right from the All Nigeria Peoples' Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) days. He has the support of all serving Senators from the State.

Bindow, who is also championing Atiku’s camp, has been with the former Vice President in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a little stay in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). Bindow also has the support of many members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly and other appointees in the state.

Pulse gathered that other strong politicians in the state like former Minister of State for Defence, AlhajiAbdulrahman Adamu and the pioneer National Vice Chairman of the APC in charge of North East who brought former Governor Murtala Nyako, Atiku Abubakar and Governor Bindow to the party in Adamawa State, Dr Umar Duhu are still on the sidelines.

Both Duhu and the former Minister, Adamu are just quiet, watching events as they unfold. But some say that Dr Umar Duhu who is been favoured to return as the National Vice Chairman of the APC in charge of the North East following the appointment of Babachir as SGF, could stem the crises if given the opportunity to serve.

Since their inauguration, the three senators, Ahmed Abubakar Mu'allayidi (Adamawa South), Sen. BintaGarba Masi (Adamawa North), son of former governor of the state, Murtala Nyako, Abdul'aziz Nyako (Adamawa Central) have distanced themselves from the governor and the activities of his government.

“This is contrary to what was experienced under the past administrations in the state,” a politician in the state, Bala Isa told Pulse on Monday, April 11, 2016.

Pulse gathered that some politicians in the state loyal to the senators and Buhari have been converging on Abuja to keep them inform about happening in the state.

Also, some chieftains of the party, Abdulrahman Adamu and Dr Umar Duhu, when contacted separately, won’t want to comment on the issue.

“I don’t want to talk about what is happening. You know things like this do happen in politics. But as time goes on, the party will certainly look at ways of resolving it. We are still one family,” the pioneer APC North East National Vice Chairman, Umar Duhu said.

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