Mimiko Emerges Chairman, PDP Govs’ Forum, Vows To Engage Buhari, APC In Constructive Manner

GOVERNOR Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State has emerged the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors’ Forum, PDPGF, an umbrelal body of governors elected on the platform of the PDP.

Immediately after his election, Mimiko vowed to engage President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC in a very constructive manner.

Governor Mimiko was elected Chairman of the Forum at the meeting, which was slated for 7pm, Tuesday night and did not start until about 9pm, but came to a close at 12am Wednesday morning. The Ondo State governor replaced former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio who was the first to occupy the position following the formation of the forum.

Speaking with Journalists shortly after his emergence, governor Mimiko said, “We will do everything that we can do to engage the presidency and APC in a very constructive manner. We have also agreed to create formal and informal mechanisms of pair review, all for the development of our nation.”

Meanwhile, the PDP governors at the meeting condemned in very strong terms the relocation of election tribunals in Rivers State, Taraba State and Akwa Ibom State to Abuja, just as they called for the movement of these tribunals to their respective states.

At the meeting, a source told Vanguard that the governors would deliberate on the state of affairs of the former ruling party particularly the position of its National Working Committee (NWC) following the recent resignation of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as national chairman.

The Governors, a source said discussed the election of President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Yusuf Lasun as well as how to position the party for its present status as opposition party.

Also speaking with Journalists at the end of the meeting, Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu said, “The PDP governors’ forum unanimously elected Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State as chairman of the forum.

“We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, on his election as the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. We also commend and salute our former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his display of peaceful disposition in the 2015 general elections which has stabilised our political landscape.

“We equally congratulate Senator Bukola Saraki, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Hon. Suleiman on their emergence as the Senate President, Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. We specially congratulate our own senator, Ike Ekweremadu, on his emergence as Deputy Senate President.

“We condemn in very strong terms the relocation of election tribunals in Rivers State, Taraba State and Akwa Ibom State to Abuja.”

Governors who attended the meeting were Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Capt. Idris Wada (Kogi), Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba). The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral John Jonah and Kingsley Otuaro, respectively represented governors Seriake Dickson and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta at the meeting.

Governors Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers and Professor Benedict Ayade of Cross Rivers State. (Vanguard)