Isaac Samuel
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday ruled out the possibility of the party entering into any merger or coalition with others ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governors stated that the PDP remains strong enough to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was part of a seven-point communiqué issued at the end of the PDP Governors’ Forum 4th meeting for 2025, held in Ibadan, Oyo State, and chaired by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed.
Governors in attendance at the meeting included the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed; Governor of Osun State, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke; Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; and the host, Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
Others present were Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State; Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State; and Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of Enugu State.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Dr. Akon Eyakenyi, and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme. Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom was hosting the Vice President Kashim Shettima in Uyo.
The governors said while the party is open to individuals or groups willing to join its ranks, it would not collapse its structure into any coalition.
“Noting the nationwide speculations about possible merger of political parties, groups and/or associations, the Forum resolved that the PDP will not join any coalition or merger. However, the PDP as a major opposition party welcomes any party, persons or groups that are willing to join it with a view to wrestling power and enthroning good leadership in 2027”, the governors said.
The governors also addressed lingering internal matters, including the office of the National Secretary.
The forum upheld the position earlier taken in Asaba but resolved, in light of a recent Supreme Court judgment, that the Deputy National Secretary should act in the interim, pending nomination and ratification of a substantive Secretary from the South East.
On national issues, the governors expressed concern over what they described as “a rape of constitutional democracy” in Rivers State, following moves by the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency.
They threw their weight behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara, promising to stand with him throughout the ordeal.
They also decried the worsening security situation in several parts of the country including Borno, Plateau, Katsina and Edo States and called for a “bottom-up security template” that empowers sub-national governments to serve as the first line of defence against breaches.
The Forum announced plans to hold its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 27, 2025, and agreed to conduct the party’s national convention from August 28 to 30, 2025, in Kano.
Key committees were constituted ahead of the convention: Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was named Chairman of the Zoning Committee, while Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, will head the National Convention Committee.
