PDP governors to Wike group: Convention will hold — we won’t bow to arrogance

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has reaffirmed its support for the November national convention, insisting that it will go on as scheduled.

The governors were reacting to the demands reeled out by the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, a group in the PDP led by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT).

The group had outlined a slew of conditions for supporting the planned convention, including the conduct of fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states.

The group also asked the PDP to recognise the south-south congress held in Calabar, Cross River state.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the inauguration of the national convention planning committee on Tuesday in Abuja, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the forum, said they are “not cowards”.

“We are not afraid of anybody. We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, arrogance, and impunity of others,” he said.

“We cannot continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job. And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse.

“And we are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The keyword is discipline. We will no longer allow or tolerate anyone taking us for granted. It has to stop.

“Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer.”

Mohammed assured Umar Damagum, the PDP national chairman, of his support in leading the party until the end of his tenure in November.

“And definitely, Mr chairman, we are with you on this journey as governors. And we will show that we believe in the capacity of the regulator, INEC. We are confident that it is a very valid and credible organisation, driven by the rule of law,” he said.

“This convention is on course. Our party is on course to make sure we have our party. If anybody wants to become a faction of fools, we will allow him to go and do it.”

Damagum said since assuming office, he has laboured with sincerity and utmost commitment to steady the ship.

He added that his leadership has pursued reconciliation, repositioned the party’s structures, and ensured that, despite challenges, the PDP remains the leading voice of the opposition and the enduring hope of millions of Nigerians.

“But let me be clear; this success has only been made possible by silence and tolerance on my part. Not because I enjoy being disparaged, but because at critical moments, I chose restraint, not out of weakness, but as a conscious sacrifice for the survival and stability of our party,” Damagum said.

“Ironically, many of the destructive voices have come from individuals who have benefited immensely from the PDP. They sought to sow division and weaken our structures.

“Yet history will record, and analysts will debate, but the consensus will remain that in a time of great difficulty, this national working committee, under my leadership, held the line and did a remarkable job.

“Today, I say with conviction that the PDP is not broken. The PDP is not defeated.

“The PDP is marching forward; stronger, more determined, and better prepared to fulfil our overriding objective: to reclaim the presidency of this great country and rebuild Nigeria from the mismanagement of the current ruling party.”

Damagum asked the committee to consider fairness, equity, justice, and unity of purpose as its guiding principles, setting aside personal grievances and ambitions that do not serve the collective interest.

Adolphus Wabara, chairman of the PDP board of trustees (BoT), who was represented by Ahmed Makarfi, his deputy, called for the inclusion of all party stakeholders in the convention process.

Ahmadu Fintiri, chairman of the national convention planning committee, pledged to conduct a credible convention.

“We know and we are quite aware that a lot is expected of us in this convention,” Fintiri said.

“We are bringing to bear our wealth of experience that we gained in the last convention, and we will even put in more effort and do better to ensure that we give you a credible and better convention in Ibadan.”

Fintiri said the committee would funnel more energy into its assignment in line with the party’s constitution.