A chieftain of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), Muhammed Bagana, has dismissed claims of a faction within the party, describing reports of internal crisis as “fake news” and the handiwork of mischief makers.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Bagana categorically denied knowledge of any purported statement attributed to a factional spokesman, insisting that he did not authorise any such communication and does not have a spokesman.
“There is no faction in the Allied People’s Movement and no pending appeal in the Supreme Court or any court in Nigeria on leadership dispute in the party,” Bagana stated.
He welcomed the recent defection of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, along with their supporters, describing the move as “a giant step forward in the quest for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria.”
Bagana noted that the defections had upset the nation’s political equation and positioned the APM as a viable platform for electoral contests and democratic delivery.
Acknowledging a previous political disagreement with the APM National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, Bagana stressed that the misunderstanding had long been amicably resolved, settled and reconciled.
“I was shocked to read about the Bagana faction of the party dismissing the defection of Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde to APM in a statement purportedly signed by one Muhammed Bello who claimed to be the spokesman for the so-called faction,” he said.
“I don’t know anything about the statement. I did not authorise it and don’t have any spokesman.”
Bagana urged the public to disregard the peddlers of fake news and agents of political destabilisation, noting that their mission was to discourage new members from joining the party through fabricated factional disputes and litigation.
He reaffirmed that the APM remains united and strong under the leadership of Dr Dantalle, adding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) website remains the veritable source for verifying the authentic leadership of any political party.
“I therefore disclaim the statement aligning me to a faction of APM. It is not true,” Bagana concluded.
