Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on party members to resist alleged attempts by anti-party elements to disrupt the party’s forthcoming National Convention scheduled for November 15 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF), made the call in a communiqué issued on Saturday at the end of their meeting in Gusau, Zamfara State. The meeting was chaired by the forum’s chairman and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed.
The communiqué commended party members nationwide for their loyalty despite what it described as intimidation and anti-democratic actions from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also praised PDP leaders for their resilience in overcoming recent defections, stressing that the opposition remains a viable alternative for restoring Nigeria on the path of good governance and development.
“The forum commends the resilience of PDP leaders and members in overcoming orchestrated defections, stressing that such distractions cannot diminish the party’s strong grassroots appeal or the growing public yearning for affordable living and relative security experienced under PDP-led administrations,” the governors stated.
The governors reaffirmed their commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in July, which endorsed the November 15 convention. They also urged members to remain steadfast and to resist moves aimed at derailing the exercise.
Meanwhile, the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has insisted it is not aware of the planned convention. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, warned that the exercise could end in crisis if the party failed to recognise the South-south zonal congress held in Calabar, which produced Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman. The PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) had earlier rejected the outcome of that congress and appointed a caretaker committee led by Emmanuel Ogidi.
Wike also faulted the continued recognition of South-east Zonal Chairman, Ali Odefa, who, he argued, had been sacked by a court ruling. “They said that they are going for their convention in November. I am not part of it until they have corrected it. If the matter is not resolved, there will be a crisis,” he said.
On national issues, the PDP governors accused the APC-led government of eroding democratic values, over-militarising recent by-elections, and failing to address insecurity. They condemned killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue states, while commending Zamfara State for its efforts to tackle insecurity.
The governors also expressed condolences to the governments and people of Zamfara and Oyo States over the recent deaths of the Emir of Gusau and traditional rulers in Oyo.
Those in attendance at the Gusau meeting were Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
