THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denounced its deputy national chairman, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, over the statement that the Embassy of the United States of America in Nigeria was collaborating with the opposition to undermine the democratic structure in the country.
Mohammed, last week, issued a statement to the effect that some people within the opposition had a meeting in Kaduna State and drew up an agenda to meet with the President of the U.S., Barack Obama, in Ghana during his visit to the country and canvass economic blockade of Nigeria, among other sanctions, so that the nascent democracy would be stifled.
But the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, yesterday dissociated the party from the statement issued by Mohammed.
Ogbulafor’s statement, signed by the national publicity secretary of the party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali, read in full:
“The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a widely circulated statement issued by Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, Deputy National Chairman of the Party in which he is said to have accused the United States government, particularly the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, of colluding with opposition elements to destabilise the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Peoples Democratic Party hereby dissociates itself from the views expressed by Dr. Bello Mohammed, which have never been discussed at any level or organ of the Party. The statement at best represents his personal opinion.
“Giving the enormity of the issues raised and the likely effect they may have on the relationship between the U.S. government and Nigeria, the Party will investigate the matter and come up with a position in due course.
“There may be plans by some politicians to take advantage of President Obama’s visit to Ghana in July to meet with him for whatever reasons.
“However, in view of the cordial relations between the government of Nigeria and the United States, we expect no meaningful impact from such a meeting even if it ever takes place.
“It is our fervent belief that the long-standing relations between the U.S. and Nigeria will not be sacrificed to suit the whims of a few disgruntled politicians, who are desperately seeking relevance.”