PDP Governors Rule Out Coalition, Rejects Anyanwu As National Secretary
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have ruled out the possibility of the party going into coalition or merger with other parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
The governors also rejected Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary following the contestation over the seat by Anyanwu and Mr Sunday Odeh-Okoye.
The two party officials have interpreted the latest ruling of the Supreme Court in dispute over the position.
In a communique issued on Monday after their meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the governors however, said the party’s doors are open to persons or groups who may wish to join.
“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 wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027,” the communique said.
Restating their earlier position on the dispute over the position of National Secretary, the governors rejected Anyanwu, preferring to pick the Deputy National Secretary to act in the position.
“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 judgment, 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 communique added.
The governors threw their weight behind the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, describing the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State as “a rape on our constitutional democracy”.
In the communique, signed by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the party’s governors said they were challenging the suspension of Governor Fubara and the imposition of emergency rule on Rivers State.
They are asking 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 went ahead to fix the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for May 27. A list of zoning committee members is expected to be ratified at the meeting.
The zoning committee would be charged with the responsibility of addressing all issues relating to zoning of party offices, with a convention to be held in Kano, tentatively on August 28, 29 and 30.
The governors went ahead to recommend the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri as chairman of the zoning committee, with Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State as vice chairman. Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has been picked as Secretary to the committee.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State is tipped as chairman of the convention committee with the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke as vice chairman. Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is to serve as secretary. All the nominations are subject to the approval of NEC and the NW.
The governors resolved to work in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party to ensure that the NEC meeting materialised on May 27 as planned.
On the worsening security situation in the country, the governors said, “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 properties during this unfortunate mishap.”
The meeting was hosted by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and chaired by Governor Mohammed of Bauchi State.
Other governors at the meeting were Ademola Adeleke (Osun),
Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Peter Mbah (Enugu).
Governors of Akwa Ibom and Delta states were represented by their deputies.
PDP Governors Rule Out Coalition, Rejects Anyanwu As National Secretary is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
