By Nma Shekwolo

Many more than the seven widely known governor of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, might be in support of the breakaway faction, with others preferring to remain anonymous.

One of the key figures in the PDP faction led by Abubakar Baraje, governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, disclosed this Friday, adding that the others were quietly supporting the new faction.

Speaking while receiving the executive director of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, governor Aliyu said there are “many members of the G7 who intends to remain silent.

There are silent members.

Although he refused to disclose the identity or number of the other governors, he said that it was in the interest of the breakaway group for the Bamanga Tukur led PDP to believe that not more than seven of the state chief executives were in the faction.

The seven governors in the breakaway PDP are Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers).

Several key members including the governors and former vice president Atiku Abubakar walked out of the last PDP convention in Abuja and formed a parallel party and subsequently went to court to ask for an order restraining Tukur and others from parading themselves as executive officers of the PDP.

Attempts to bring the breakaway group back into the ruling party’s fold are still on going.

The governor in receiving his guests urged them to ensure in the good work and promote unity in the north.

He also asked the foundation to work in collaboration with other bodies to harness income and improve the lot of northern Nigeria while assuring the foundation that he would join hands with them to plead to other state governors who have not redeemed their pledge to the foundation.

Earlier, the executive director of the Foundation, Shettima Ajayi said the foundation has helped to train 350 women and youths in vocational and entrepreneurship programs adding that most of the trainees have started their own businesses.

He also said that the foundation has reached out to some northern states affected with insecurity and has rendered assistance to some of them.