Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara was again absent on Saturday when governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Par(PDP) and leaders of the party, including former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar met in Abuja to deliberate on the fate of the party.
At the meeting, the PDP leaders renewed their commitment to discipline in the interest of the party.
Although no reason was given for Fubara’s absence, a party source said the Rivers State helmsman is still playing the loyalty card, having been advised by his predecessor, Barrister Nyesom Wike not to shoulder the party’s financial responsibilities.
“The Rivers Governor didn’t give a reason for his absence but his political mentor and the former Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike has not mended fences with the PDP and is unlikely to do so. This perhaps explained why he was away. He (Fubara) was said to have been advised by Wike not to spend money on the party like he (Wike) did while he was in power”, he told Saturday PUNCH in confidence.
This is just as the PDP leaders resolved to shun any form of anti-party activities in line with the ethos of the party.
These and other resolutions were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting which was held at the Bauchi Governor’s lodge, Abuja.
Reading the communique, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed said: “The meeting emphasized the need for party discipline and reiterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage. No individual or group of individuals will be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.
“The meeting committed to repositioning and stabilising the party. To this end, the healing and reconciliation process is in progress and yielding results.
“The meeting signaled that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.
“All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the PDP Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal and would do everything lawful towards achieving this.
“The Governors will work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability.
“The meeting congratulated the party for impaneling the campaign councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo, and Kogi States and urged the campaign councils to ensure victory for the party in the three states”.
The PDP leaders also faulted the number of ministerial nominees to serve in the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
“The meeting counseled the Federal Government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of Governance. 48 Ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.
“The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief, and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country. Rather, all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed”, the communique further read.
Present at the meeting were former Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).
Others included Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Also present were the PDP acting National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagum; Deputy National Chairman (South), Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja; and National Vice Chairman (South-South), Mr. Dan Orbih, among others.
