The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called for a political solution to the protracted crisis rocking Rivers State.
Governors on the platform of the major opposition party also renewed PDP’s bid for power shift in 2027, urging other leaders to work for its return to power at the centre.
The governors who met in Enugu, capital of Enugu State, under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum, reiterated their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is locked in a lingering feud with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had proposed a political solution to the Rivers logjam. But the peace deal was not totally implemented as Fubara later pointed out that the proposals were not legal.
The battle of supremacy has shifted to the court where the three-member House of Assembly, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, and the 27 lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, are making claims and counter-claims.
The Fubara/Wike rift was on the agenda of the Enugu meeting, apart from other critical national issues, the crisis in the PDP and its proposed national Congress.
At the meeting hosted by Governor Peter Mbah were Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Umo Eno Akwa-Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara States), Ahmed Fintiri (Adamawa), and Douye Diri (Bayelsa).
Mohammed, Chairman of the forum, who read thd resolutions at the Government House, Enugu, said the governors have resolved to resolve the Rivers logjam without further rancour.
He said: “The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State PDP and commits to supporting the governor of Rivers State and also resolved that the issue be solved through political solution and other measures.
“All the leaders and organs of the party will be committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal pressure and without rancour”.
The governors expressed support for what they described as the efficacy of the local government system and the import of bringing governance closer to the people as provided in the constitution.
They vowed to support the local government autonomy as enshrined in the constitution.
The resolutions reads:”In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party, who adopted internal democracy as fundamental principle, which our party was built, the congresses leading to the election of our leaders at the various tiers must be all inclusive, transparent and must confine with the constitution of our party.
“We must ensure the successful conduct of congresses across the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory.
“In the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, we admonish all the parties to ensure that the elections and campaigns are issue- based, violence free and in strict compliance with the Electoral Act.
“The forum urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field, transparent, fair elections as any act of bias will be totally rejected.
“The forum urges Mr President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining or making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.
“On the economy, the forum notes with dismay and great concern, the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led federal government.
“On minimum wage, the minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted. In view of the attendant hardship on the people, we have resolved that the labour demand on salary increase is justified and therefore commands the total support of the forum.
“While the forum fully support labour in their demand, agreement and consideration must be made in the ability to pay between the federal government, state government and third tier of government
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restrain in utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of the law and order and the collapse of the economy.
“The forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought to the people as provided in the constitution. The forum will continue to support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria.
“The forum regrets that 16 years of growth and tremendous development of the country under the PDP led 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 lifespan of the lackluster APC led federal government.
“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back the old good days of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows, resulting in high naira value and create equality of human life as recorded.
“The forum commended the governors of the PDP controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.
“The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State of the party and commi8ts to supporting the governor of Rivers state and also resolved that the issue be solved through political solution and other measures. That all the leaders and organs of the party will be committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal pressure and without rancor.
“The forum called on all Nigerians to refrain from any anarchy as we march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027”.
PDP will bounce back in 2027, say governors
The forum vowed to reclaim leadership positions occupied by other political parties in 2027.
Governor Mohammed said the Enugu meeting underscored the intention of the governors to showcase their perseverance.
He said: “Today, we are here to unify ourselves, discuss issues that affect the party and various matters within ourselves.
“Our agenda will go through governance across party administration, discuss inter-party affair, congress and other things we need to do in providing credible alternative to Nigerians.”
Mohammed said the assessment undertaken by the governors, the National Working Committee (NWC) and other party organs showed that Nigeria was drifting toward anarchy.
He said PDP would not allow the country to drift because it shared an aspiration for a better future.
Reiterating the party’s agenda for power shift, Mohammed said:“It is high time the party reclaimed its leadership position in all the states that are currently being occupied by other parties.”
[TheNation]