Conspicuously missing today were the Governors of Rivers State, Simi Fubara, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno as the governors of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP met with leaders and stakeholders of the party in Abuja on Saturday.
But one of the most vital voices in the integrity group, an ally of former Rivers State Governor Chief Nyesom Wike, the National vice chairman South-South Chief Dan Osi Orbih, was, however, present at the meeting, which gave the impression that the party’s move for reconciliation may be on the offing after all. Also present was another strong loyalist of Governor Wike, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the current minority leader in the House of Representatives.
At the end of the meeting, the following Communiqué was issued.
“The meeting emphasised the need for party discipline and re-iterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage. No individual or group will be allowed to undermine the party’s unity and processes.
The meeting committed to repositioning and stabilizing the party. To this end, the healing and reconciliation process is in progress and yielding results.
The meeting signalled that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.
All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal, would do everything lawful to achieve this.
The Governors will partner with the party at the state and national levels to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability.
The meeting congratulated the party for empanelling the Campaign Councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi States. It urged the Campaign Councils to ensure victory for the party in the three States.
The meeting counselled the Federal Government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of Governance. 48 Ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.
The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country; instead, all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed.”
The PDP Governors present at the meeting were; Gov. Bala Mohammed, Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Gov. Sen. Douye Diri, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, Gov. Peter Mbah, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, Gov. Godwin Obaseki, Gov. Kefas Agbu, Gov. Dauda Lawal, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Amb. Umaru Iliya Damagum and other prominent members of the party.
