PDP governors condemn relocation of Rivers, Taraba, Akwa-Ibom states’ tribunals to Abuja

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The governors of the 13 Peoples Democratic Party-controlled states in Nigeria have condemned the relocation of the governorship election tribunals of Rivers, Taraba and Akwa Ibom states to Abuja.

After a meeting of the PDP governors forum Tuesday in Abuja, Abia state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, who addressed journalists on behalf of the group, said “We condemn in very strong terms the relocation of election tribunals in Rivers State, Taraba State and Akwa Ibom State to Abuja.”

Authorities of the Court of Appeal had moved the tribunals from the states to Abuja for security reasons.

Also, the Abia Governor announced that the PDP governors unanimously elected the governor of Ondo state, Olusegun Mimiko, as its new chairman to replace ex-Akwa Ibom governor, Godswill Akpabio.

He said the forum “congratulates 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, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and Hon. Suleiman 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.”

Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, the new PDPGF Chairman, Mr. 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.”

The governors who attended Tuesday’s meeting include: Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Idris Wada (Kogi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Darius Ishaku (Taraba).

The deputy governor of Bayelsa State, John Jonah, represented the state governor, Seriake Dickson at the meeting.

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