The governors took the position after a meeting held on Saturday in Gusau, Zamfara State capital, amid resistance from former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who has dismissed the legitimacy of the convention and the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Wike, a strong critic of the party leadership, had vowed that there would be no peace in the PDP unless the controversial South-South Congress, which produced his ally Dan Orbih but was rejected by the National Working Committee (NWC), was recognized.
However, the PDP governors, in a communique read by Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who chairs the Forum, threw their weight behind the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, and the resolutions of the party’s 101st NEC meeting held in July 2025.
“The Forum reaffirms its full commitment to the resolutions of the 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of July 2025 regarding the November 15 National Convention,” Mohammed said.
“It urges members to resist all attempts to derail the convention by anti-party forces, but to see the PDP as the only democratic institution and viable alternative for restoring Nigeria along the path of good governance and national development.”
The governors also praised PDP members and supporters for their steadfastness despite what they described as “serious intimidation and anti-democratic actions” by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government during recent by-elections.
Commending the resilience of PDP leaders, the Forum dismissed ongoing defections as distractions, insisting the party still enjoys strong grassroots support and public goodwill.
The governors further condemned the August 9 by-election, which they alleged was marred by heavy militarization, vote-buying, and violence. They urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in safeguarding their votes against electoral malpractice.
On insecurity, the Forum commended the Zamfara State Government for efforts in reducing violence within the state but expressed concern over continued killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue States. It urged the Federal Government to be more responsive in protecting lives and property nationwide.
The communique concluded with a call for unity within the PDP and resilience among Nigerians, stressing that the ruling APC has “no agenda, no vision, and is destined for inevitable rejection by the masses.”
