PDP govs back Fubara, plan talks with stakeholders

The Peoples Democratic Governors Forum has thrown its weight behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State over the lingering political crisis, with a vow to begin wider consultation with other critical stakeholders in the state.

The PDP governors make their position known rising from the Forum’s meeting held at the Enugu State Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday.

Those in attendance were Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Governor Peter Mba of Enugu State; Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.

Others are Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

The Forum Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, said that the governors would seek ways to ensure a peaceful resolution of the crisis.

“The Forum notes the crises in the Rivers State Chapter of the party and commits to ensuring peace. The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employing wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises,” the communique read in part.

On the economic hardship, the governors lamented that the 16 years of progress the country experienced under the PDP rule have been eroded by the All Progressives Congress administration.

The communique added, “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 higher standard of living for every Nigerian has been eroded during the life span of the lackluster APC-led Federal Government.

“The Forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days, of the low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows resulting in high naira value and the greater quality of human life as recorded.

“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.”

The According reports that disagreement between Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, had thrown the state into a political crisis.

The disagreement between Wike, who is currently the Federal Capital Territory Minister, and Fubara, a former Accountant General of Rivers, which spiralled to the local governments, began from the state House of Assembly following an alleged attempt to replace the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly and replace same with a speaker that will be loyal to the governor.

With both heavyweights at loggerheads, the lawmakers loyal to the minister served the governor an impeachment notice.

With the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, however, the lawmakers who defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party have withdrawn the impeachment notice.