By Yahaya Umar
As preparations for Nigeria’s General Elections scheduled to hold in 2027 gathers momentum, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors’ Forum, has taken a stand on the news making the rounds about the upcoming mega merger of opposition political parties to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Rising from a high powered meeting of the Umbrella party Governors’ Forum yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital declared that the party will not join or merge with any political party.
Chairman of the forum, who is also the Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed made this known at the end of the Forum’s meeting, in Ibadan, yesterday.
Bala, while presenting the communique after the meeting, said that the PDP governors resolved that the party as a major opposition party, would welcome any party, association, or group that was willing to join it, with a view to wrest power and enthrone good leadership in 2027.
Besides, he stated that the Forum reaffirmed its position taken in Asaba on the issue of the national secretary of the party.
The chairman said that in “the wake of the Supreme Court judgment the Forum resolved to recommend the Publicity Secretary of the party to act as the national secretary.
“Pending the nomination and ratification of substantive national secretary from the South East zone by NEC at its next meeting”.
Furthermore, the Forum reaffirmed its collective determination to approach the apex court with a view to giving a clear verdict on the interpretation of the provision of the law on the declaration of a State of Emergency in any state of the federation.
“The Forum, therefore, reiterates its solidarity with His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, on the ordeal in which he and his people are being plunged into by the declaration of State of Emergency.
“And we reiterate our commitment to stand with him to the end”, he stated.
The Forum raised the alarm sequel to worsening security situation in Borno, Plateau, Katsina, and Edo states.
in this vein, it called for a review and reordering of priorities and strategies for security agencies that would guarantee improved security across the country.
The Forum commiserated with the people of Plateau State over the loss of lives in the recent attack in the Bokkos Local Government Area of the state.
Those 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 Sen. Akon Eyakenyi respectively.
Bala Mohammed, said that a NEC meeting of the party would be held on May 27, “having resolved with the National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party”.
He explained that zoning committees would be constituted during the May 27 meeting, to address all issues relating to the running of the party offices.
The chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum said that the convention of the party would be held on Aug 20, precisely on the 20th, 29th and 30th in Kano.
