25th July, 2013
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Chairman PDP Governors Forum, has called on Rivers state warring factions to sheath their swords for peace to reign in the state.
He made the call at the end of the forum`s emergency meeting which ended at the early hours of Thursday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
The meeting was snubbed by half of PDP states as it was attended by only eight governors from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa, Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Abia, and Kastina states. Four states, Bauchi, Kwara, Plateau and Kaduna states sent their deputy governors. There are 24 states under the control of PDP in Nigeria.
He described the happenings in the Rivers House of Assembly as “unfortunate’’, adding that the warring factions in the states should embrace peace in the interest of democracy and good governance.
The governors said that this was necessary to ensure the growth of democracy in the state.
“ We had deliberated lots of issues, the first being the forthcoming party special South West zonal congresses and special national convention.
“And we felt there is need to brief PDP Governors about the just inaugurated Special South West Zonal Congresses and the Special National Convention Planning Committee and the dates fixed for the convention,’’ Akpabio said.
He pledged the forum`s support to the PDP leadership, saying that the governors would mobilise their delegates to ensure a hitch free South West zonal congresses and special national convention.
The governor said that the forum had meanwhile resolved to be rotating its monthly meetings among PDP states, while its emergence meetings would still be held in Abuja.
He said that it would ensure interaction among PDP Governors while they met with grass root people as well as visit projects carried out by PDP governors in their respective states.
“This will increase the bond among us and will lead to peer review among us and extend our love and friendship.
“The starting point will be Bayelsa. The state will be hosting the first PDP Governors Forum in September while Kastina state will host the next one in October.’’ Akpabio said.
He said that most governors, especially those from the North could not attend the meeting because they travelled for the Muslim Umral.
He commiserated with the first lady for the death of her mother, who passed on in a car accident earlier in the week.