PDP govs say no to coalition, dump Anyanwu, Udeh-Okoye

•Name deputy national secretary as acting national secretary •Say party will open its doors for persons of interest to join •We will support Fubara till the end, they say
•Party to hold national convention in Kano late August

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, where they declared that formation of a coalition of political parties would not be necessary to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Some stakeholders of the party and leaders of other opposition parties have been holding series of meeting since mid-last year with the sole aim of forming a coalition of parties to confront the APC in the next general election.

But members of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) rose from a meeting in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday to declare that the party does not need to merge with any other party to defeat the APC in 2027, as according to the governors, the 2027 election would be a battle between the APC and the Nigerian people.

The governors, who converged on Ibadan for a two-day meeting, said that rather than merge with other parties, the PDP would only open its doors for interested persons to join.

In a communique made public after the two-day meeting, the PDPGF submitted that rather than form a coalition to fight the APC, it will serve a quit notice on the ruling party, which he said, Nigerian were ready to vote against.

Chairman of the PDPGF and governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, who read the communiqué, said that Nigerians need not worry about the defeat of the APC in 2027 because, according to him, the battle would pitch the ruling party against Nigerians.

Also, the governors spoke on two key issues of concern to the party. They resolved to continue to support the suspended Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while also resolving that the deputy national Secretary of the party should continue to act as national secretary pending the final determination of who will occupy the post of national Secretary.

Both Senator Samuel Anyanwu and Honorable Sunday Udeh-Okoye have been at loggerheads over the true occupant of that seat, with Anyanwu losing the battle to have the Supreme Court declare him the substantive secretary on March 21.

Besides, the Forum resolved to hold an early national convention, while they went ahead to name a national convention and zoning committee which will liaise with the National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

“The Forum has resolved that deputy secretary would act as national secretary, pending the nomination and ratification of a Substantive Secretary from the South-East Zone at its next meeting, the communique read.

The communique further stated: “Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that there will not be any need to join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027

“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 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 approaching Supreme Court to give a clear-cut verdict on the interpretation of the provisions of the law on the declaration of State of Emergence 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 commitment to stand with him till the end.

“The Forum finds alarming the worsening security situation in the Country, as evidenced in parts of the country, especially Borno. 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 Forum resolves that working in conjunction with the National Working Committee (NWC) and other relevant organs of the party, 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 ancient 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: Governor Douye Diri Chairman; Governor Dauda Lawal – Vice Chairman and Governor 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 expressed its gratitude to the host governor, His Excellency. Engr. Seyi Makinde, the government and good people of Oyo State, for their hospitality.”

In a related development, the Forum, at a dinner on Sunday, promised to unseat the APC-led government at the federal level, saying Nigerians have seen the capacity of the party to deliver good governance.

In his welcome address, Governor Makinde expressed confidence that the PDP had the ability to resolve its internal issues, saying that the party would form the next government at the federal level in 2027.

The governor commended the commitment of the PDP governors, saying the governor’s presence showcased their dedication and love for the party.

Makinde emphasised that the 2027 contest would be between the APC and the people of Nigeria.

‘’The PDP is going to be where we want it to be. This is the party that will form the next government in the country. I have said it before -2027 is between the APC and the people of Nigeria,’’ Makinde said.

In his remarks, the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed stated that with good governance the PDP Governors were providing across the states, the party is set to form the next government at the federal level.

He lauded Makinde and his fellow PDP governors for their notable achievements in their respective states, while expressing confidence that PDP is dedicated to providing a platform that would propel Nigeria to an unparalleled success.

The Bauchi governor said: ‘’We are working hard to ensure that we leave the society better where we have found it and that is why we are making a difference. By 2027 by the grace of God, we shall take over the reign of leadership in this country, because Nigerians have learnt, and they know what is all about. The governor of Oyo State has said it. You can see what the young man is doing in this party of Nigeria, the infrastructure delivery, the human development and so on. If you go to Adamawa State, you see the infrastructure that is being provided, and you will be amazed. Taraba State has already changed the landscape.

“Zamfara State was a no-go area in terms of security, but people are now happy because the governor is working. The same thing is happening in Osun State, my brother is not just dancing but dancing with wisdom and knowledge. If you go to Plateau, you will see that the trajectory has changed for the better, because we are working. Our peer review mechanism is working. We are competing to excel. All our governors are working very hard.

Senator Mohammed also expressed unwavering support for Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was recently suspended due to ongoing political instability in the state.

He said: ‘’Even in Rivers State where we had hiccups recently, we want to assure you that all the governors of the PDP and indeed of the governors are united behind Governor Fubara to ensure he comes back and continues his good work’’.

The Oyo State deputy governor, Bayo-Lawal, who delivered the closing remark, expressed gratitude to the PDP governors for attending the crucial meeting in Ibadan.

In attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed; Ahmad Fintiri of Adamawa State, Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Senator Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Barrister Caleb Mutgwang of Plateau State, Dr. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

Akwa-Ibom governor, Pastor Umo Eno was represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, same as the governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by his deputy. The national Chairman of the party, Ambassador Iliya Damagun was in attendance.

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