By Taye Obateru

Jos – Deft political moves by key members of the different factions of the PDP in Plateau State played out during the Sallah break as both sides moved to consolidate their positions on the political turf of the state.

Supporters of Governor Jonah Jang were said to have moved round to douse what was called the anti-Jang campaign being allegedly orchestrated by members of the Emmanuel Mangli-led PDP just as the other camp also reportedly intensified efforts to weaken the governor’s political base.

There were strong speculations that the governor and the Dakum Shown-led executive of the PDP in the state, which is currently challenging its dissolution in court, would be suspended by the national executive of the party this week, a rumour those close to Jang dismissed as mere wishful thinking.

Jang’s Special Adviser on Media Affairs, Dan Manjang, in reaction to the rumour, told Vanguard that it would be unfortunate if such an action was be contemplated against the governor, saying there was no basis to suspend a governor who is doing the party proud by implementing people-oriented programmes.

He described Jang as one of the most performing governors of whom PDP should be proud and believed the planned suspension was a rumour which would remain as such.
He, however, admitted that “going by the antecedents of those in the other group, we will not be surprised if they orchestrate such a move. Whether it will succeed is another issue.

But we will cross the bridge when we get there.”

Those rooting for the suspension of the governor and others are said to be citing the refusal of the Shown group to co-operate with the Caretaker Committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party following the dissolution of the executives of the two factions.

The Shown group insists that it remains the authentic executive since it had secured an injunction restraining the NWC from dissolving it.