Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has been elected as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum. Alongside him, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has emerged as the Vice Chairman of the Forum. This announcement was made on Saturday during a retreat for elected PDP officials held at the Banquet Hall, Government House in Bauchi State. Governor Mohammed takes over the position from Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who also attended the one-day event.
During the retreat, Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman of the PDP, emphasized the importance of unity within the party as an opposition. He stressed the need for the PDP to work together as a family to maintain relevance in the political landscape. Damagum stated, “In order to remain relevant, we must work together as one family. That’s the only way you’ll be able to ensure that your relevance is being determined.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was present at the event, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy without providing alternative measures. Abubakar referred to the PDP government’s approach to subsidy removal between 1999 and 2007, which involved implementing the removal in phases while providing palliatives to mitigate the impact on the affected sectors of the economy. He emphasized that such a discussion and consideration of the affected sectors should have taken place before announcing the removal. Abubakar stated, “We have the experience as a party in government. That is what we would have done and not just announced subsidy removal without discussion with the affected sectors of the economy. I think Nigerians should appreciate what they have temporarily lost.”