Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has stressed the need for the party to have a substantive national chairman as against the acting national chairman Alh. Ilya Umaru Damagum.

Mohammed said this while reading the communique of a meeting between the chairman of PDP Governors Forum, and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, in Bauchi State on Tuesday.

The governor recalled an arrangement for a substantive PDP national chairman was worked out after the resignation of then national chairman, Alh. Bamanga Tukur from the North East. He recounted that with Tukur’s exit from the office, former Bauchi State Governor, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, to emerge the PDP national chairman from the same zone.

He said, “There is a need for the PDP to get permanent leadership, because right now our brother from the Northeast is acting as the national chairman of the PDP which is not in tandem with the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“According to the constitution of the party, any vacancy that exists must be filled from where the vacancy is created, and we know the North central has been craving for it.

“We discussed the issue, and we’ll work with the acting national chairman and national working committee to ensure that the North central is given the opportunity to assume the responsibility”.

The governor reaffirmed the party’s commitment to its zoning arrangement of positions in the NWC, with the view of upholding the provisions of the party’s constitution so as to ensure balance, equity and inclusiveness.

He affirmed that Siminalayi Fubara is the leader of the party in Rivers State.

Members of the PDP NWC had paid a solidarity visit to the Chairman PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed in Bauchi where they held a closed meeting and discussed issues pertaining the party.

The PDP NWC delegation led by the national legal adviser, Kamaluddeen Ajibade Adeyemi, including national publicity secretary of the party, Debo Olagunagbe and national vice chairman – North East, Emmanuel Bovao.

Others are national treasurer – Ahmed Yayari; national women leader – Amina Bryhm; national financial secretary – W. A Daniel; DG-PDP Governors Forum, Agbo Emmanuel; and Consultant Agu Emmanuel.

The delegation commended the courage and commitment of the Governors’ Forum in repositioning the party as it strives to deepen democracy and rescue Nigeria from the deep-seated problems confronting her.

The meeting acknowledged the historical significance of the PDP in shaping Nigeria’s democracy and national development as evidenced by the 16 years of responsible governance, economic growth, and infrastructure development, “Even in its current role as the primary opposition, the PDP continues to advocate for good governance, economic recovery, and social justice, ensuring that the aspirations of Nigerians for a better future are realised through constructive opposition.”

The meeting emphasised the importance of unity and adherence to the founding principles of the PDP, including inclusiveness, respect for the rule of law, and the party’s constitution.

Bala Muhammad added that PDP remains a beacon of hope for Nigerians, he also reiterated the need for internal cohesion and respect for the party’s structures, while endorsing ongoing efforts to reconcile internal disputes.

The meeting expressed dissatisfaction with recent events in Rivers State, where attempts to disrupt party processes violated the PDP’ constitution. The arbitrary formation of a caretaker committee and the 2 subsequent congresses undermined the party’s unity and democratic values.