Bauchi Governor Emerge PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman
By Khalid Idris Doya
The Bauchi state governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir has emerged as new chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, an umbrella body of all elected governors under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This was announced by Adamawa state governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri after PDP retreat for elected officials held in Bauchi on Saturday, also disclosed that the forum elected the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara as its vice chairman.
Governor Bala Mohammed while accepting the chairmanship,p said, “I have accepted the leadership of the forum with all humility and deep sense of gratitude to God for the responsibility bestowed on me”.
He described his election as chairman of the forum as a mark of recognition not only to himself, Bauchi and Northeast, but Nigeria in general.
Senator Bala Mohammed assured that he and his deputy, Sir Siminakayi Fubara will try their best to deepen the forum the vibrancy and leadership it requires at the time when synergy, collaboration and interaction are required to take the forum members to the highest level of governance.
He said that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will remain resilient and united for the interest of Nigeria’s Constitution and the constituencies, adding that governors under the platform of the Party will continue to engage in open discussion for the benefit of citizenry, in addition to putting the country above everything.
According to Mohammed, as part of their quest for national development, elected officials under the platform of the PDP will deliver on the mandate they are entrusted with, saying the Party will remain united.
While congratulating all elected officials under the umbrella of the PDP, Mohammed called on them to consider themselves critical icons, saying today’s gathering signifies firmness and commitment for the development of Nigeria.
Declaring the retreat opened earlier, the PDP presidential candidate in the 25th February elections, Atiku Abubakar said, “Based on the results announced by INEC and pending the determination of electoral challenges in the courts, our members-elect are not the majority in the national assembly”.
Atiku Abubakar therefore charged the PDP national assembly members-elect to be prepared to work as effective constructive opposition, while preparing for the possible role of a majority party when the cases are resolved.
PDP Governors who were present were Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of Plateau State, Kefas Agbu of Taraba State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Dauda Lawal Dare of Zamfara, Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno of Akwa Ibom, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.
Others are: Ademola Jackson Adeleke of Osun State, Sherrif Oborevwori of Delta, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Peter Ndubuisi of Enugu State and Godwin Obaseke of Edo represented by his deputy, Philip Shuaibu.
Other dignitaries at the retreat were, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Ag National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Aliyu Damagum, former governor of Sokoto, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former governor of Adamawa, Boni Haruna, former governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, former governor of Niger, Aliyu Babangida, Adolphus Wabara acting chairman Board of Trustees, Senator Dino Melayi and Senator Abdul Ningi, among Others.