The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has sounded the alarm over what he describes as escalating political persecution facing the opposition party across Nigeria.
Speaking at a reception hosted by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan, Mohammed said PDP governors are united, undeterred, and committed to repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. The gathering took place at the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan, following a strategic meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Despite the internal and external challenges confronting the party, Mohammed assured that the PDP remains resilient and focused. “We are swallowing a lot of melancholy, a lot of persecution these days—but certainly, we are standing tall,” he said. “Our peer review mechanism is working. We’re not just competing for power—we’re competing to excel.”
He dismissed rumours of internal rifts, stressing that the governors and the National Working Committee are aligned in their resolve to deliver good governance and reclaim national leadership.
Governor Makinde echoed the sentiment, expressing optimism that the PDP will return to power in 2027. “We’ve learnt from our past mistakes,” he said. “The party is not distracted, and we have the capacity to resolve our internal issues. The next election will be between the APC and the people of Nigeria.”
Mohammed praised his fellow governors for transformative efforts in their states—from infrastructure in Adamawa and Enugu to improved security in Zamfara. He described their collective work as a signal that PDP governors are “not doing it to be praised—we are doing it to set the tone for governance.”
Notably absent from the gala night were Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently under suspension, and Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri. Both Akwa Ibom and Delta States were represented by their deputies.
Addressing the political crisis in Rivers State, Mohammed offered full support to Governor Fubara, asserting that all PDP—and indeed Nigerian—governors stand behind him. “We’re not afraid of anybody,” he said. “But we do demand that our rights and our governors be respected, and given a level playing field.”
He also emphasized the importance of unity and collective purpose among PDP governors, noting that the forum’s gathering in Ibadan was not just symbolic, but a deliberate step in charting a new course for the party.
“Nigeria has suffered so much,” Mohammed said. “We are ready to work. We are not going to be distracted by personal ambition. We will set aside our differences and give Nigerians the kind of leadership they deserve.”
With renewed focus, internal cohesion, and a coordinated push for reforms at the state level, PDP governors are setting the stage for what they hope will be a political resurgence in 2027.
