The Governors elected under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the Supreme Court judgement which validated Senator Ademola Adeleke as the rightful winner of last Osun State gubernatorial election reflects the will of the people of Osun State and a triumph of democracy and due process in Nigeria.
PDP governors forum will on Thursday host new governors-elect, honor former chairmen of the forum and give awards to outgoing governors on its platform.
The event will serve as an opportunity for PDP leaders, stakeholders and members to come together, since after the general election, a statement by the director general of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Hon. CID Maduabum said.
All party leadership, PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and the G-5 governors are expected to attend the event.
The forum under the leadership of outgoing Sokoto State Governor, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CON, stated this while congratulating the Governor of Osun State, HE Senator Ademola Adeleke on his Supreme Court victory.
Maduabum, the forum spokesperson said, “The Forum welcomes the Apex Court’s verdict as a confirmation of truth over falsehood, a vivid affirmation of the will of the Almighty God in the affairs of Osun State, and without fear or bias, sealing the choice of the people of Osun State whose determination has finally seen light at the end of the tunnel.
“This judgement reflects the will of the people of Osun State and a triumph of democracy and due process in Nigeria; and for which we commend the five-man panel of the Apex Court for rightfully setting aside the erroneous judgement of the Election Petitions Tribunal, and for consolidating on the Appeal Court’s earlier verdict.
“The news of the apex court verdict did not come as a surprise because of the massive support that Governor Adeleke received and has been receiving from the people and residents of Osun during and after the Governorship Election; and for this, the Forum celebrates the people of Osun State for their dedication and steadfastness which is even more evident in the total support given the PDP at the February/March general elections which saw the party clinching most of the seats at the National and State election.”
The forum also prayed for the governor and advised him to settle down for the enormous tasks of rendering selfless services to his people and taking Osun state to greater heights.
As earlier stated, the Forum will on Thursday host governors-elect as well as honour past PDP Governors’ Forum chairmen, namely, Ayo Fayose, Olusegun Mimiko, Seriake Dickson, Ibrahim Dankwambo.
The Governors-Elect being received into the Forum are: Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom); Peter Ndubusi Mbah (Enugu State); Agbu Kefas (Taraba State); Ameopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers State); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State); Dauda Lawal (Zamfara State); Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau State)
The forum will also welcome three re-elected Governors, namely, H.E. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, H.E. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and H.E. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State.
“The Forum wishes to use the opportunity to formally send forth past Chairmen of the Forum, namely: H.E. Segun Mimiko, H.E. Ayodele Fayose, H.E. Ibrahim Dankwambo and H.E. Seriake Dickson.
“All outgoing PDP Governors:
Gov. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State (Chairman); Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State (Vice Chairman); Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; and Gov. Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba State, will also be honoured during the ceremony for all their services to the Forum.
“This event will feature a discussion on “Good Governance at the Sub-National level: Issues, Perspectives, Expectations and Outcomes”, which will lay out the challenges facing governance at the sub-national level and possible solutions and is to be presented by Dr. Muda Yusuf, a renowned economist, as Guest Speaker.
“It is expected to be a star-studded event as invitations have been extended to the Acting PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Umar Iliya Damagum and Members of the PDP National Working Committee, 2003 PDP Presidential Candidate and Former Vice President, H.E. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, GCON and H.E. Namadi Sambo, GCON, Former Vice President, Former PDP Governors, Current and Former PDP Presiding/Principal Officers of the National Assembly, Party Leaders, Stakeholders, friends and well wishers.”