The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDP-GF) has reiterated its support for suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The governors, in a communique read by chairman of the forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, after its meeting in Ibadan, yesterday, reiterated their commitment to stand with him to the end.
The opposition governors explained that they approached the Supreme Court over the emergency rule in Rivers State to get a clear interpretation of the constitution on the declaration of emergency rule in any state.
“The Forum reasserts our collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy, hence, the decision to approach the Supreme Court to give a clear cut verdict on the interpretation of the provisions of the law on the declaration of state of emergency in any state.
“The Forum restates its solidarity with His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on the ordeal into which his state and people are being plunged by the declaration of a state of emergency. And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him till the end.”
The forum also said the opposition party would not be involved in any coalition or merger for the 2027 general elections. But, it stated that the party would welcome any person, group or political party willing to join the PDP to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, who is believed to be nursing a presidential ambition, has been championing a coalition of opposition politicians to confront the APC at the next general election.
Nonetheless, the communique stated, “noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wresting power and enthroning good leadership in 2027.”
Also, the opposition governors recommended that the deputy national secretary of the PDP, Setonji Koshedo, should assume office as acting national secretary while the party’s national convention to elect a new National Working Committee (NWC) should hold from August 28 to 30 in Kano State.
The PDP governors, while reiterating support for the ouster of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as PDP national secretary, noted that in view of the Supreme Court judgment on the disputed national secretary’s position, Koshedo should assume office as acting national secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive national secretary from the South East.
The South East chapter of the PDP in 2023 nominated former national youth leader of the party, Sunday Ude-Okoye as replacement for Anyanwu, after the latter emerged as the candidate in the last Imo State governorship election.
However, Anyanwu’s ouster has been a subject of litigation, with an Enugu State High Court affirming Ude-Okoye’s nomination and mandating PDP NWC to swear him in as national secretary. Last December, the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, affirmed the judgment of the lower court.
However, the Supreme Court, in its verdict on an appeal filed by Anyanwu, nullified the majority judgment of the Court of Appeal, and upheld the minority judgment, which stated that the lower court had no jurisdiction over the issue, as it was an internal affairs of the party.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s judgment, both Anyanwu and Udeh-Okoye have been laying claim to the national secretary position.
However, the communique stated that, “the Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the national secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court’s judgment, the Forum resolved to recommend that the deputy national secretary acts as national secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive secretary from the South East zone and NEC, respectively at its next meeting.
“The Forum resolves that working in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party to hold a NEC meeting on May 27, 2025, it will constitute a Zoning Committee that will address all issues relating to zoning of party offices and hold an early convention in August 2025, precisely on the 28, 29 and 30 in the ancient city of Kano.
The governors added: “The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country, as evidenced in parts of the country, especially Borno, Plateau, Katsina and Edo states. The Forum calls for review and reordering of priorities and strategies, including adopting a bottom up template that guarantees the sub-nationals to constitute an effective line of defence against security breaches.
“While raising the concerns above, we condemn the recent attacks in Plateau State and commiserate with the government and people of the state, especially those who lost their lives and property during the unfortunate mishap.”
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been appointed to chair the zoning committee ahead of the party’s national convention. Governors of Zamfara and Plateau states, Dauda Lawal and Caleb Mutfwang, are vice chair and secretary, respectively.
The forum equally recommended the constitution of a National Convention Committee headed by the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, with Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State as vice chair and the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as secretary.
These recommendations are subject to ratification by the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee of the party.
Present at the meeting were Governors Peter Mbah (Enugu), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
Governors Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) were represented by their deputies, Monday Onyeme and Senator Akon Eyakenyi, respectively.
Credit: The Sun