by ‘Jola Sotubo

Following reports that the 7 aggrieved governors under the Abubakar Baraje-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had moved to rival All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, has said that he is still a member of the PDP.

Governor Aliyu made this known through his spokesperson a few hours after the move from PDP to APC was announced by factional Chairman, Alhaji Baraje.

The Niger State governor was believed to have made the move as well as he was the leader of the 7 governor members of the “New PDP”

Premium Times reports:

 Governor Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo, in a statement said his principal was shocked “at the announcement of the merger of New PDP and APC even before a final decision was taken on the matter.”

 Mr. Ndayebo said Mr. Aliyu was not present at the meeting where the merger deal was sealed between the New PDP and APC leaders as widely reported by the media.

 The spokesperson said the Niger governor “insisted that talks were still ongoing with the president and would await the outcome of the negotiation before taking a final decision.”

 Mr. Baraje had told journalists at the media briefing in Abuja, to announce the merger on Tuesday, that Mr. Aliyu left the merger meeting early but agreed with the decision.

 With Mr. Aliyu’s announcement, the merger has 17 governors (11 APC and 6 New PDP).