The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum is facing a moment of critical introspection, with mounting challenges both within the party and across the nation.
In a move that underscores the party’s commitment to resolving internal issues, the Forum has thrown its weight behind the Court of Appeal’s ruling that recognized Sunday Udeh-Okoye as the authentic National Secretary of the PDP.
The governors called on the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to swiftly implement the judgment and set the stage for a unified leadership structure.
“The Forum noted with delight the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the NWC on the position of the National Secretary and has reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment,” said Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, further urging the NWC to act with urgency in executing the decision.
While grappling with this internal crisis, the governors also turned their focus to the economic climate under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which they say has deepened the suffering of Nigerians.
They highlighted the adverse impact of the Federal Government’s macroeconomic policies, urging for a review to ease the growing hardship on citizens.
The Forum’s sentiment is clear: without a shift in policy direction, meaningful development will remain out of reach for many states.
“The Forum calls on the Federal Government to either revisit or re-jig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate and stop the hardship/pains that they have inflicted on Nigerians,” the communiqué read, reinforcing the gravity of the issue at hand.
Even as the Forum wrestles with these difficult realities, it took time to commend its members who have achieved strides in governance.
Governors such as Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State were celebrated for their progress in infrastructure development, environmental sustainability, and efforts to combat insecurity.
These leaders, the Forum stated, are laying the groundwork for future progress in their states.
Yet, the internal strife within the party is becoming harder to ignore. Chief Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, condemned the recent violent outburst at the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting, calling it “despicable, horrific, inhuman, wicked and unheard of.” His frustration with the situation was palpable, as he warned that such actions risked undermining the party’s very foundation.
“There is no excuse for this violence, and no one is too big to be disciplined by our party,” George emphasized, calling for swift action against those responsible for disrupting the meeting.
He further cautioned that unless the party embraces unity, fairness, and justice in its decision-making, it risks a future failure at the polls. “Unless we are united… this party will be heading to disaster in 2027,” he added, his words ringing a warning bell for the party’s leadership.
As the PDP seeks to address both internal divisions and the broader national crisis, the governors have stressed the importance of restoring trust, upholding democratic values, and ensuring the party’s long-term success.
The next few months will be critical for the party’s ability to reconcile, refocus, and unite—both within its ranks and in its approach to governing the country.
