BREAKING: Damagum to step down, Fubara to get Rivers structure – Gov Bala Mohammed

Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, has reiterated that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, must be recognized as the leader of the PDP in his state.

Speaking after a meeting with the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) delegation, Mohammed highlighted that the decision follows PDP’s long-standing practice where state governors are leaders of the party in their respective states.

He described the meeting, which was led by PDP National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN, as productive, aiming to strengthen collaboration between the Governors Forum and the NWC, while resolving ongoing issues within the party.

He said, “Along that line, we discussed extensively the need for collaboration between the PDP Governors Forum and the NWC so that some of the issues can be resolved, including the litigations that cannot be resolved, will be resolved on the table,” he added.

“It is along this line that we collectively agreed for the rule of law, and the delegation gave their firm commitment and support for the position of the PDP Governors Forum in Rivers State.”

“In Rivers State, where we don’t have the established practice in which any governor from the party is the leader of the party and will therefore have the party structure for sustainability.”

He added, “On behalf of the Governors Forum, we are very grateful to the NWC, ably led by the National Legal Adviser. We also discussed some legal issues that are lingering, and we used the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Governors Forum to ask the delegation to convey our appreciation to the Acting National Chairman of the PDP.”

“We insist that, please, those committees they have set up on reconciliation and disciplinary issues should work in a manner that will do it through consensus and agreement so that we will not at least create anything that can bring imbroglio,” the governor added.

He also stated, “We are behind the North-Central Zone of the party to be allowed to produce the National Chairman of the party. Precedents have been set in the past when Ahmed Mu’azu succeeded Bamanga Tukur and Ali Modu Sheriff came after him.”

“In fairness, the North Central should be allowed to complete its tenure. That is justice, that is fairness, and that is what the PDP stands for,” he stressed.

“Going forward, I assured them that the PDP Governors Forum will be meeting with them from time to time to discuss issues of unity and development of the party. We also want to interface with structures like the Former Governors Forum, Former Ministers Forum, and others.

“By the time the PDP emerges from the present situation, we will be ready, Insha Allah, to take over the leadership of the country in 2027. We will then build on the massive development of 16 years obstructed by the wasteful years of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).”