Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) concluded their meeting in Enugu with a stern warning against any presidential interference in the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.
The governors criticized the performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government, while commending the PDP-controlled states for their innovative developmental projects.
In attendance were 12 of the 13 PDP governors, who expressed their support for embattled Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and advocated for expedited negotiation of a new minimum wage.
Presenting the communique at the end of the meeting, Senator Bala Mohammed, the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and governor of Bauchi State, urged all parties to ensure campaigns are issue-based, violence-free, and compliant with the Electoral Act.
The communique stated: “The Forum urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair, and unimpeachable elections, as any act of bias will be totally resisted. The Forum also urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.”
The governors expressed concerns about the state of the economy and assured Nigerians that the PDP would return to power in 2027 to restore the nation’s lost glory.
The communique continued: “Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government. The Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the PDP-led Federal Government, during which the country witnessed single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions, and a higher standard of living for every Nigerian, has been eroded during the life span of the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government.”
The governors also expressed displeasure over the protracted minimum wage negotiation in the face of extreme hardship and urged the federal government to expedite action on it, while considering the ability of other tiers of government to pay.
“Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum. While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy,” the communique read.
The Forum threw their support behind Governor Fubara in the crisis in Rivers State and pushed for a political solution. They also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and promised to support LG autonomy, urging careful implementation to maintain trust between the federal and sub-national governments.
The governors commended the host governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for holding the party together in Enugu State and the entire South Eastern geopolitical zone, praising his achievements and major landmark projects.
Attendees included Governors Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Umo Eno (Akwa-Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), and the host, Peter Mbah (Enugu).
News Editor