By Patrick Obia
The nine governors of the Peoples Democratic Party or PDP say they have accepted defeat, restating faith and confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.
The PDP governors made the disclosure during its Governors’ Forum held in Abuja, the nation’s capital on Tuesday, October 31, 2013.
The Supreme Court had six days ago upheld the victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the February 25 presidential poll.
PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party had challenged Tinubu’s victory; a challenge the apex court said “lacks merit“.
According to the Punch, the governors while addressing journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, said the meeting noted the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on the 2023 presidential election and believes that it brings an end to the presidential election cycle as there must be an end to litigation.
He said: “As a forum, we believe and restate our faith and confidence in the judiciary to do justice in political and other cases before the courts. We are concerned that while the Supreme Court has laid down precedents on pre-election issues, the PDP candidates in Plateau State are being disqualified on the same grounds. We urge the judiciary at the apex level to ensure that our jurisprudence is not distorted. We remain vigilant in the struggle for democracy and good governance in the country.”
They vowed to reposition and strengthen the PDP as a viable opposition political party ready and willing to play its role as the vanguard of the Nigerian people for democracy, good governance and accountability.
The nine governors prayed the federal government to stabilize the Naira and control inflation among other sundry issues.
Governors in the meeting were Osun State Governor – Ademola Adeleke; Edo State Governor – Godwin Obaseki, Delta State Governor – Sheriff Orohwedor, Zamfara State Governor – Dauda Lawal and Bayelsa State Governor – Douye Diri.
The rest are Taraba State Governor – Kefas Agbu, Adamawa State Governor – Amadu Fintiri; Enugu State Governor – Peter Mbah and Plateau State Governor – Caleb Mutfwang.
Members of the party’s National Working Committee present were the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, National Vice Chairman, South East, Ali Odefa and National Vice Chairman, South West, Amb. Taofeek Arapaja.
Nine governors of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) have conceded defeat and expressed their trust in Nigeria’s judiciary following a Supreme Court ruling that upheld President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's election victory. The governors, at a forum in Abuja, emphasized the finality of litigation regarding the 2023 presidential election and reiterated their faith in the judiciary to deliver justice in political cases. Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, mentioned concerns about the disqualification of PDP candidates in Plateau State despite established precedents.
The governors committed to revamping the PDP as a robust opposition party and urged the federal government to address economic issues like inflation and the stability of the Naira. The meeting included governors from Osun, Edo, Delta, Zamfara, Bayelsa, Taraba, Adamawa, Enugu, and Plateau States, along with key members of the PDP's National Working Committee.
