Suspended Governor of Rivers state Siminilayi Fubara was conspicuously absent as the Governors’ forum of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) held its meeting in Oyo state earlier today.
The Governor who was suspended last month and replaced by a sole administrator was absent as nine Governors elected on the party’s platform met to deliberate on several issues.
Forum Rejects 2027 merger
Putting speculations of a powerful merger to unseat the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) in 2027 to rest, the forum at its meeting rejected the idea of a merger stating “Noting the nationwide speculations about the possible merger of parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that we won’t join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major op party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to wrestle power and enthrone good leadership in 2027.”
This puts the party’s candidate in the 2023 elections and front runner for the ticket in 2027, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in a limbo as he has been one of the leading figures in the coalition move.
Other Resolutions
in other resolutions at the meeting, the Forum declared its solidarity for Fubara who was earlier suspended by President Bola Tinubu who imposed a state of emergency on the state.
On the spate of insecurity in parts of the country, the Forum expressed concerns over the rising insecurity in Borno, Katsina, Edo, and Plateau states and called for a review and reorganisation of the nation’s security architecture, advocating a bottom-up approach that empowers sub-national governments to play a more active role in safeguarding their territories.
The Forum also announced plans to hold a national meeting on May 27, 2025, where a Zoning Committee would be constituted ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for August 28 to 30, 2025, in Kano.
In anticipation of its next meeting, a zoning Committee comprising 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 was formed to address all issues relating to the zoning of party offices.
