TheCable

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ forum has honoured Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, for putting personal “interests behind that of our party, people and nation”.

The forum gave the award while welcoming the party’s governors-elect at an event held recently in Abuja.

Samuel Ortom and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governors of Benue and Enugu, were also honoured alongside others.

Wike, Ortom and Ugwuanyi were part of the G-5 governors who declined to support the campaign of Atiku Abubakar, PDP’s presidential candidate.

In the February 25 presidential poll, PDP lost in all their states as Abubakar finished second behind Bola Tinubu of All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking at the event, Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto and chairman of the forum, praised his colleagues’ “solidarity and comradeship” and “a desire for the best of our party”.

“For my colleagues, out-going governors of our forum, I commend all of you for your solidarity and comradeship. As a first among equals, I can vouch for the warm support and friendship of all the governors of our party,” he said.

“Sometimes, it was tough agreeing on all things, but we never forgot to put our interests behind that of our party, people and nation.

“The moments we have shared under this forum have been moments of joy, learning, comradeship support for one another and a desire for the best of our party, states and country. To you all, I express my gratitude.”

Olusegun Mimiko, former governor of Ondo; Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti; Ibrahim Dankwambo, former governor of Gombe; and Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa, were all honoured at the event for their contribution to the party.

All PDP governors-elect were also awarded and urged to be the “shining armours of the party going forward”.

The opposition party won 10 states in the last governorship election.