PDP govs condemn relocation of Rivers, A"Ibom, Taraba, Tribunal To Abuja

Peoples Democratic Party governors under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum have expressed displeasure over the relocation of Taraba, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States Election Petition tribunals to Abuja.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko

The governors said this at their meeting which was held in Abuja on Tuesday night.

At the meeting which ended in the early hours of Wednesday, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, was also elected as the Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum.

Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting that started at 9:30pm and ended 12:07am, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, said his colleagues were not happy about the relocation of the tribunals.

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

He added that “the PDP governors’ forum unanimously elected Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State as Chairman of the forum.”

He said the governors were equally delighted about the election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Besides, the governors expressed their delight for the way former President Goodluck Jonathan accepted the outcome of the election.

Ikpeazu further said, “We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, 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, Yakubu Dogara and Suleiman Lasun 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.”

Also speaking with journalist, the new PDPGF Chairman, 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 peer review, all for the development of our nation.”

Governors in attendance were 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(retd.), represented his state at the meeting.

Governors absent at the meeting were Hassan Dankwambo of Gombe State, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, Nyesome Wike of Rivers, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Prof. Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers State.

PDP govs condemn relocation of Rivers, A"Ibom, Taraba, Tribunal To Abuja