The 12 Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF), have declared that the party will not join any coalition or merger but would welcome any party or persons willing to join it or work with it to wrest power and enthrone good leadership in the country.
The governors, in a communiqué read at the end of their two-day meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, maintained that the party would resolve all its issues before 2027.
This was as the PDPGF declared that in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party, it had been resolved that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party would hold on May 27.
The Forum constituted a Zoning Committee to address issues relating to zoning of party offices as well as a National Convention Committee subject to the ratification of NWC and NEC, adding that the party is to also hold an early convention in August 2025.
The Forum also noted that going forward and in alignment with an earlier position taken in Asaba, Delta State on the issue of the PDP National Secretary, it recommended that the Deputy Secretary of the party continues to act as National Secretary pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive National Secretary from the South-East zone.
The PDP governors equally reiterated their condemnation of the suspension of the Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, through a state of emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu.
They stated that they would stand with the embattled governor till the end, and that they had approached the Supreme Court for interpretations on the provisions of the constitution on state of emergency.
They decried the worsening insecurity in the country, sympathising with the government and people of Plateau State over wanton and heartless killings visited on the state recently, while also calling for a reordering of strategies that would allow the development of a bottom-up template to enable sub-nationals to constitute an effective line of defence against security breaches.
The communiqué read: “Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of 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.
“The Forum reiterates its position taken in Asaba on the issue of National Secretary of the party, but in the wake of the Supreme Court judgment, the Forum resolved to recommend that the Deputy Secretary acts as National Secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive Secretary from the South-East Zone at its next meeting.
“The Forum reasserts our collective determination to avert a rape of our constitutional democracy, hence the decision of approach Supreme Court to give a clear-cut verdict on the interpretation 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, working in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party, resolves to hold a NEC Meeting on the 27th of May, 2025, 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 28th, 29th and 30th in the city of Kano.
“The Forum equally recommends the constitution of the Zoning and National Convention Committees for ratification by the NWC and NEC as follows; Zoning Committee: Gov. Douye Diri, Chairman; Gov. Dauda Lawal – Vice Chairman and Gov. Caleb Mutfwang-Secretary, while the National Convention Committee has Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri as Chairman; Gov. Ademola Adeleke as Vice Chairman and Gov. Peter Mbah as Secretary.
“The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the country, as evidenced in parts of the country especially Borno, Katsina and Edo states. While raising the concerns above, we condemn the recent attacks in Plateau State, and commiserate with government and people of the state, especially those who lost their lives and properties during this unfortunate mishap.
“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.
“The Forum expressed its gratitude to the Host Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the government and good people of Oyo state for their hospitality.”
Earlier, host of the meeting and governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, declared that the PDP would resolve its internal wranglings ahead of the 2027 general elections and also form the next government at the federal level.
Makinde, who stated this at the gala night held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, to welcome his colleagues in the PDPGF to Ibadan on Sunday, April 13, appreciated them for their commitment to the party.
He said that all the organs of the party that attended the Ibadan meeting had signified that the party leaders and members remained committed and that the party would go in the right direction.
He said: “I want to thank you all for your commitment to the party and for coming to Oyo State despite all of the challenges.
“If people are saying that our party has this or that issue; all organs of the party that are here tonight have demonstrated total commitment to this party.
“For those who have been speculating that this is a meeting that would define the direction the PDP would go, let me tell you that PDP will go in the right direction. And, by the grace of God, this is the party that will form the next government at the federal level in Nigeria in 2027.
“We have the capacity within the PDP; we have the people and the maturity to solve our internal issues. They [other parties] should face their internal issues as well.
“Just as I said before, I will repeat that the 2027 elections will be between the APC and the people of Nigeria.”
Similarly, the chairman of the PDPGF and governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said the governors’ presence in Ibadan was in continuation of the PDP’s tradition of connecting, assessing and peer-reviewing governance across states in its control.
He commended Governor Makinde for delivering super-impressive infrastructure across the state, including the ongoing upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international standard and other achievements in building human capital.
Mohammed noted that the PDP remained united and that governors and other organs of the party had been working together to ensure that all issues beleaguering the party were resolved.
