TheCable

Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi state, has been elected chairman of the governors forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, is the deputy chairman of the forum.

Mohammed and Fubara were elected on Saturday at a retreat for elected PDP officials in Bauchi state.

Mohammed is replacing Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, who is now the deputy chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Speaking at the event, Umar Damagun, acting national chairman of the PDP, urged members of the party to work together as one family.

“I want to reiterate, on the issue of the national assembly, we have to know we are an opposition. In order to remain relevant, we must work together as one family,” Damagun said.

“That is the only way you will be able to ensure that your relevance is being determined.”

Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, also attended the event.

Atiku criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approach to the removal of fuel subsidy.

“Between 1999 and 2007, the PDP government initiated the petroleum subsidy removal and I chaired the committee. We achieved subsidy removal in two phases but only after providing palliatives to those most affected by the subsidy removal,” Atiku said.

“We have the experience as a party in government. That is what we would have done and not just announce subsidy removal without discussion with the affected sectors of the economy.

“I think Nigerians should appreciate what they have temporarily lost.”