by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has assured that all PDP governors will continue to aggressively pursue policies and programs that will reduce the hardship and ensure progress and development.
The Forum further noted with concern the rape of democracy in Edo Governorship elections. “It is clear to everyone with conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate when, in fact, majority of lawful votes were won by the PDP candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo.
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Sen. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, read the communiqué after the meeting at Government House, Little Rayfield Jos, Plateau State on Saturday.
Rising from its 7th meeting, the PDP Governors’ Forum called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review both micro-economic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.
The Forum empathized with Nigerians, who are groaning under what the Forum termed as “the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government.”
“Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents in Ondo Elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes,” it added.
The Forum also called on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into the electoral laws so as to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.
While speaking earlier on Friday, at a Gala Night, held at the Banquet Hall, Government House Rayfield, Jos, the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, had reassured supporters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that the party’s governors and critical stakeholders are committed to re-strategizing to stabilize the party and restore hope for Nigerians.
The governor expressed gratitude to the Forum Governors and party faithful, who traveled from across the country to “The Home of Peace and Tourism” to support the forum. He emphasized the importance of the gathering in charting a way forward for the PDP and restoring its reputation as the party of choice for Nigerians.
“Even though, this is primarily a meeting of governors, it is gratifying to see party leaders and stakeholders from various states filling this room to support the governors, as we strategize to ensure not only the stability of our party but also its ability to continue providing hope to Nigerians,” Mutfwang stated.
Governor Mutfwang highlighted Plateau’s historical significance to the PDP, recalling that it hosted the party’s first convention to elect the inaugural President of the Fourth Republic and produced the PDP’s first National Chairman.
While proudly referring to Plateau as the “Home of PDP,” Governor Mutfwang also reflected on the successes of his administration, asserting that peace and trust have been restored to the state, following years of challenges.
He stressed thus: “By the grace of God, after years of miserable leadership by the opposition on the Plateau, the people have welcomed their party back – the PDP – and I am determined to improve the lives of our people and fulfill the party’s mandate of ‘social justice and empowerment.’”
Also, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, commended the party’s stakeholders for their unwavering support, emphasizing the PDP’s unity and its position as an unbreakable political party, offering Nigerians hope and good governance.
“We are here on the Plateau, and Governor Mutfwang has shown us that Plateau is indeed a melting pot where everyone is welcome. The PDP remains an indivisible party.
“Despite minor hiccups, we are united with all organs and leaders of the party. We will continue to work together to provide Nigerians with opportunities for better governance,” Senator Bala Mohammed affirmed.
The Oyo State Governor-cum Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Seyi Makinde, also reassured PDP supporters of the governors’ determination to reform the party and restore its leadership role in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries at the Gala Night included Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) and the Deputy Governors of Bayelsa, Enugu, Plateau States and the PDP Acting National Chairman, Illiya Damagum.
Also in attendance were notable party leaders, including former Plateau Governor, Senator Jonah David Jang, former Kaduna State Governor, Ahmed Makarfi, former Niger State Governor, Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, and Chairman of the PDP Ministers’ Forum, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as well as other stakeholders. Other governors arrived on Saturday morning for the meeting.
The communiqué, however, recognized the good work that the majority members of NASS was doing and urged it to critically interrogate all bills to ensure fairness, equity, national balance and even development nationally.
The Forum commiserated with the Government and people of Plateau State on the recent Katako Market fire incident, which destroyed property worth millions of Naira.
It also commiserated with the Government and people of Jigawa State on the recent tanker expulsion whereby scores of people lost their lives and several others injured.
The PDP Forum expressed its gratitude to the Government and People of Plateau State for not only hosting the meeting but extending to all the participants the hospitality for which Jos is reputed.
The meeting particularly commended the Government of Plateau State for visible and laudable transformation in social services, tourism and transportation that have taken place, and ensured all Nigerians to look forward, with genuine hope to the replication of this not only presently but after 2027.
The meeting also discussed the State of the Party, noting the concerns of Nigerians, PDP founding fathers, elders and members of the Party of seeming divisions within the ranks and files.
“The Forum wishes to state categorically that it remains resolute in its determination to ensure unity and cohesion of this great Party that Nigerians have come to trust as the best platform for democratic governance.
“The Forum is constrained to accept the latest postponement of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Party in empathy with our colleague, H.E. Governor Eno Bassey, whose late dear wife will be buried on the same day earlier scheduled for NEC.
“Once again, the Forum wishes to commiserate with our colleague and pray that God will grant him and the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
“The Forum strongly advises the NWC to call NEC latest by the first week of February, 2025, to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the Party.
“The period between November and February is to address the existential problems confronting the Party, with a deliberate timeline of activities within the period under review to address issues of leadership and litigation confronting the Party.”