The rift between Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako and the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, over the conduct of the of PDP congresses has been settled in Bamanga's favour following the conduct of ward congresses across the state.

Vice President Atiku Abubakar also pitched tent with Bamanga Tukur by declaring support for the congresses and faulting the earlier ban on political activities by Governor Nyako.

Sequel to the conduct of the congresses, a fierce war of wits had ensued between Governor Nyako's camp and that of Bamanga Tukur, with the former saying that the congresses would not be held while the latter insisted that the congresses would go on.

The conduct of yesterday's congresses has put to rest the apprehension that heralded the prolonged media war which had ensued between the two camps.

Nyako had earlier banned political activities following a meeting he allegedly had with security chiefs in the state where he was advised against allowing the congress to hold due to the fear of security breach. But rival groups in the party condemned the move, saying that it was an attempt by the governor to frustrate the conduct of the congresses.

With yesterday's conduct of the ward congresses, Bamanga Tukur has successfully called the bluff of Governor Nyako in the supremacy battle that ensued between the two in the build- up to the local government election in the state.

In a press release made available to LEADERSHIP, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said the large turnout of party members at the ward congresses, the first ever since the formation of the PDP in Adamawa State, was historic and a clear manifestation of the people's yearning for democracy.

"The recorded turnout in some wards was far in excess of that seen in general elections in the state. It is a clear indication that people want democracy," Atiku said.

The former vice president said it was wrong of the state government, or anyone for that matter, to subvert the yearning of the people for a free and fair election in the running of their party's affairs.

"The right to freedom of association is a right protected by the constitution that cannot be whimsically taken away to serve the convenience of an individual or any group," Atiku said, adding that the peaceful conduct of the election throughout the state had clearly shown that there was absolutely no basis, other than politics, for the security alarm raised by the state government.

Atiku praised the Adamawa State caretaker committee, as well the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP for their forthrightness and courage by allowing election to hold instead of adopting consensus arrangements, and for going ahead with the vote in spite of the governor's blackmail.

He further stated the future of the PDP lay in the strict adherence to democratic values, principles without which the ruling party would just be another tool in the hands of dictators.