By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the security agencies, and the Federal Government to be neutral in the conduct of the off-season gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.
The governorship elections in the three states have been slated to hold on Saturday, November 11 this year by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Rising from their inaugural meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, the meeting equally noted the deteriorating security situation in the country especially the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Plateau and Zamfara States amongst other States.
The meeting, which was attended by twelve out of the party’s thirteen elected Governors, consequently advised the Federal Government and security agencies to rise to the situation and bring the situation under control.
In the communique signed by all the Governors in attendance and read by their Chairman, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Forum of PDP Governors, further assured that it would, in the interim, cooperate with the Federal Government on issues concerning the welfare of Nigerians and good governance.
They vowed to maintain the independence and autonomy of the Forum through offering constructive criticisms where necessary.
The communique reads, “The PDP Governors’ Forum held its inaugural meeting under the leadership of H.E Governor Bala Mohammed, CON, Governor of Bauchi State at Abuja on Tuesday, 11th July 2023.
“The meeting resolved to work together and unite the Forum.
“The aim of the Forum is to provide a platform for peer review of issues, policies, programmes and achievements (legacy projects) of member-Governors across the PDP States.
“The meeting advised the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the security agencies, and the Federal Government to be neutral in the conduct of the off-season elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.
“The meeting noted the deteriorating security situation in the country especially the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Plateau and Zamfara States amongst other States. “The meeting consequently advised the Federal Government and security agencies to rise to the situation and bring the situation under control.
“In the interim, the Forum would cooperate with the Federal Government on issues concerning the welfare of Nigerians and good governance while striving to maintain the independence and autonomy of the Forum through offering constructive criticisms where necessary”, they said.
The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Siminilaye Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the forum was the only Governor absent.
