Peoples Democratic Party PDP Governors Forum will not recline from supporting sir Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The Chairmen of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum (PDPGF), Senator Bala Mohammed and Governor of Bauchi state, made the affirmation on Sunday.
He was in Port Harcourt, at the Executive Chambers of Government House to witness the swearing in of newly elected 22 local Government Councils Chairmen.
Senator Mohammed, who is also the Governor of Bauchi State, said Governor Fubara is a true democrat.
This, he has done, against all odds mounted, Governor Fubara pushed through with tenable decisions and actions that are deepening democracy.
“Of course, he is still with us. He’s still a PDP man and I have to come, on behalf of the Governors, to show solidarity to him for this very proactive democratic instinct that he develop, which is a new manifestation in the political arena in Nigeria.
“Where he had to intensify, and he has to develop strategy to be able to deliver governance, irrespective of party allegiance or party consideration.
“He didn’t have a structure of the party in the State, for certain reasons and he had to go out to make sure he allows other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum.
“And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very, very creative and I am very, very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this.
“Again, he has established himself as a governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”
Governor Mohammed pointed to why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the fellowing he commands.
Which is why, he insisted, the enfontery to undermine the office and person of Sir Fubara as the governor of Rivers State is largely not acceptable.
“A governor is the Chief Executive, he can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian State is run by governors at the sub- national level.
“Even the federal government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the States and Local Governments and that is why what he did today is very, very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party will lose.
“And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support.
“Because he is not doing it with any string or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern.”
Governor Mohammed recalled that as a person on 2019, he encountered a similar situation that governor Fubara was being confronted with but braces up and was able to navigate through it safely.
The Chairmen PDPGF said: “I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a State where only 9 are members in the State Assembly and he(Fubara) is still doing that.
“So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.”
Responding to how soon the PDP will resolve its festering crisis and achieve desire unity, Governor Mohammed assured that it may seem prolonged but true reconciliation was in view.
Governor Mohammed emphasised: “And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum. All the governors are with him and certainly we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.
“Reconciliation with somebody who they have started with; the former Governor of this State and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a most because, certainly they have come a long way and we didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.
“And certainly, the governors are with the Governor (Fubara)because this is our own tradition and fraternity. At the same time, out of our own political history as a party that has history of governance.
“We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother and also our colleague,’ he added.