Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party on Monday declared that the party would not be part of any merger or coalition arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the PDP remains strong enough to wrest power and deliver good governance to Nigerians.
Rising from their 4th meeting of 2025 held in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP Governors’ Forum, chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, made it clear that while the party would not dissolve into any coalition, it remained open to welcoming persons, parties or groups willing to join forces with it to rescue the country from misrule.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the governors also waded into the controversy surrounding the party’s National Secretary.
While reaffirming their earlier position taken at the Forum’s meeting in Asaba, they resolved that in light of the recent Supreme Court judgement, the Deputy National Secretary should act as National Secretary pending the nomination and ratification of a substantive replacement from the South-East zone by the National Executive Committee at its next meeting.
The governors equally expressed concerns over the worsening security situation across the country, especially in Borno, Plateau, Katsina and Edo States, lamenting the recurring attacks and rising cases of insecurity.
They called for a total overhaul of security architecture, with a shift towards a bottom-up approach that empowers state governments to constitute an effective line of defence against security threats.
They specifically condemned the recent attacks in Plateau State and commiserated with the government and people of the state, especially families who lost their loved ones and property during the incident.
The Forum also raised alarm over the political crisis in Rivers State and the alleged declaration of a state of emergency.
It vowed to resist any attempt to subvert constitutional democracy, pledging full support to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and declaring its intention to approach the Supreme Court for a definitive interpretation of the law concerning the declaration of emergency rule in any state.
“We restate our 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 communiqué read.
On the future of the party, the governors resolved to work closely with the National Working Committee and other party organs to convene a NEC meeting on 27th May, 2025, and hold an early national convention in Kano on 28th, 29th and 30th August, 2025.
As part of preparations, they recommended the constitution of two key committees. The Zoning Committee is to be chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, with Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, as Vice Chairman and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, as Secretary. The National Convention Committee, on the other hand, will be chaired by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, with Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as Vice Chairman and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu as Secretary.
The Forum concluded by appreciating the hospitality of the host governor, Seyi Makinde, and the good people of Oyo State, noting the warm reception given to them during the meeting.
Those in attendance at the meeting included Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi of Akwa Ibom, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu and Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme of Delta.
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