The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has restated its commitment to the party’s national convention scheduled for November, declaring that it will proceed as planned despite opposition from a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, led by Wike, had issued a list of conditions for their support, including fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states, as well as recognition of a South-South congress held in Calabar, Cross River State.
Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, dismissed the demands, stressing that the party would no longer bow to what he described as arrogance and impunity.
According to him, the governors are determined to safeguard the PDP and ensure discipline in its ranks.
He pledged the forum’s support to the National Chairman, Umar Damagum, until the end of his tenure in November.
In his remarks, Damagum said his leadership had worked to reconcile aggrieved members, reposition the party, and maintain its role as the leading voice of the opposition.
He noted that many of the voices seeking to divide the PDP were individuals who had greatly benefitted from it.
The Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, represented by his deputy, Ahmed Makarfi, urged the inclusion of all stakeholders in the build-up to the convention.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, promised to deliver a credible convention in Ibadan, assuring that the exercise would be guided by fairness, equity, and the party’s constitution.
With these assurances, the PDP leadership says it is confident that the November convention will strengthen internal unity and prepare the party for future electoral challenges.