- Thank you for having courage to tell us the truth – Bauchi gov
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has called on the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to intervene in the impasse between the Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Diri, who spoke in Bauchi on Thursday, said that the trade of words between the two PDP governors was becoming disturbing and should not escalate further. He urged the two to sheathe their swords and cease further actions in the interest of the unity and peace of the country.
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“Concerning the raging current issue between two brothers Governors of the same party. May I seize this opportunity to advise and call on both of you who are members of our great party to cease further actions and reactions on the burning national security issues.
“I want to also use this opportunity to call on our party to immediately intervene and resolve whatever issues that are still yet unresolved amicably, as a party and brothers.
“I am calling on the chairman of the PDP governor’s forum to also please immediately intervene and do not allow this conflict to grow beyond what we have already seen. It is very disturbing to read on the pages of the newspapers about two gentlemen who mean so well for their states, who are doing so well in their states to be engaged in this conflict on the pages of the newspapers and other media outlets,” he said
The Bayelsa Governor commended Governor Bala Mohammed over laudable developmental projects executed in the state so far, saying that Governor Bala Mohammed is a great man who is acknowledged by the people of Bayelsa State.
In his response, the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed said that there is no disharmony between himself and the Governor of Benue state, Mr Samuel Ortom, pointing out that they were courageous enough to discuss a burning national issue and he will do everything within his powers to deescalate the issue in such a way that it will not bring injury to the party and national unity.
“You know my pedigree and antecedents, I believe in the unity of Nigeria, at a point, I felt Benue is also my state because I worked there in 1982 and when I was there, the former Governor made me his own son, I was dinning and eating in his house. Everybody that has Fulani background is considered and loved more than even an average Tiv man in Benue state.
“I was just lamenting that cordial relationship has been destroyed by suspicion and mistrust. I was not doing anything in any way to insult or to cause injury to my friend and brother that we have worked together at the cabinet and now as governors. Thank you for having the courage to tell us, it is time to stop.
“My response is just very mild on the issue of criminalization of my humble self and I know my brother has a right of reply and he has done that, but let us not take this thing to a level where leadership will be demystified,” he said
Governor Bala said the intervention of the Bayelsa Governor is enough and pledged that no one will hear anything from him on this issue again. While noting that he he has no apology for telling the truth, he apologised to Nigerians who were disturbed by the issue.
