The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum on Friday declared that the macro-economic policies of the Federal Government have inflicted hardship and pain on the polity.

The governors noted that no meaningful and impactful achievements in the states will be achieved until the harsh policies are addressed.

The forum, therefore called on the Federal Government to either revisit or rejig its macro-economic policies to ameliorate and or stop the hardship and pains inflicted on Nigerians.

It noted the monumental socio-economic, security, infrastructure and other challenges that confronted the nation during the period.

The forum made the call in a seven-point communique read by its Chairman, and Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed after its first and closed door meeting for the year 2025 held at Government House, Asaba, Delta capital city.

The Communique was signed by Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; the host Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta; Douye Diri of Bayelsa; Peter Mba of Enugu; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom; Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers; Ademola Adeleke of Osun.

Others are Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa; Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau; Seyi Makinde of Oyo, represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal; and Dr Emmanuel Agbo – DG PDP Governors’ Forum.

They urged Nigerians not to despair but keep hope alive despite the present hardship in the country.

The forum also reviwed the performance of member states in particular, and the state of the nation in general, as well as developments in the party, as at the end of 2024.

It commended governors of member states for pursuing policies and programmes that not only ameliorated the plight of the people but were aimed at creating the foundation for sustainable development in their various states.

It lauded the ongoing efforts at resolving the crisis in the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) on the position of the National Secretary, and reaffirmed its support for the Court of Appeal judgment.

It, however, advised the NWC to set up the machinery for the effective implementation of the court judgment.

The forum commended the country’s valiant and patriotic Armed Forces and Security Agencies for maintaining the frontline in securing the country and the gains of our gallant personnel against bandits in parts of the country.

However, it viewed with deep concern the resurgence of brazen non-state actors and called for the strengthening of the nation’s security architecture.

It expressed gratitude to the host Gov. Oborevwori, and the people of Delta for their hospitality and friendly disposition that had yielded the successful, well-structured and impactful meeting.

It also lauded Oborevwori’s giant strides recorded by his administration in the areas of infrastructure, environmental remediation, people empowerment and combating insecurity.

“Nigerians do not despair in the face of the prevailing hardships, the PDP will remain committed to returning our great nation to the glorious days of pre-2015 era of manageable costs of living, security of lives and property and greater unity and prosperity for all citizens,” it said.

The Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun was also in attendance.

The Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in Rivers State, Hilda Dokubo, has publicly distanced herself from the Obidient Movement Advisory Council, rejecting her nomination as a member of the group.

Dokubo, in a statement issued on Wednesday night, clarified that she was not consulted before her name was included in the list of council members.

She reaffirmed her commitment to the Labour Party’s leadership under Barrister Julius Abure, stating that her role as LP chairman in Rivers State made it inconsistent for her to take on an additional advisory position within the Obidient Movement.

She also expressed concern over ongoing divisions within the Labour Party and urged for unity and reconciliation, aligning with the stance of the LP National Chairman, Abure, who has been advocating for internal party harmony.

Dokubo formally requested to be removed from the Obidient Movement Advisory Council, stating:

“My attention has been drawn to a list making the rounds on social media, purportedly by a group, the Obidient Movement Advisory Council, wherein my name was listed as a member of the Supporting Advisory Council.”

“I need to state clearly that I was not consulted by the organisers of the group before my name was included in the said list.”

“I must also state clearly that I am the state chairman of the Labour Party in Rivers State under the leadership of Barrister Julius Abure.”

“I can therefore not take on the burden of becoming a member of the Supporting Advisory Council of the Obidient Movement Advisory Council.”

Her rejection of the role underscores growing internal tensions within the Labour Party and the broader Obidient Movement, as efforts continue to bridge divides and strengthen party unity ahead of future political engagements.

Earth shaking revelations as the Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal resumed its sittings today Tuesday, 28th January 2025 in FCT Abuja with a Data Analyst and Expert Witness appearing to testify against INEC’s declaration of Governor, Monday Okpebholo as winner of the September 21st Governorship Election in Edo State.

Recall that on Friday 24th January 2025, the Edo Tribunal Secretary, Mu’azu Bagudu announced the relocation of the Election Petition Tribunal from Benin City to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

At the continuation of hearing in Abuja, a PDP witness and Data expert relied on his forensic examination of original agent copies and CTCs of Forms EC8A, EC8B, EC8C EC8D, including IREV results, BVAS Accreditation reports and extracts to lead evidence of over voting in 75 Polling Units across 18 LGAs in Edo State.

He also stated that the 1st Respondent INEC did not record, in the prescribed forms, serial numbers and other particulars of result sheets, BVAS Machines and other sensitive electoral materials and their failure to make the prior recording in the prescribed forms renders the election in 320 polling units invalid for failure to comply with requirement of prior recording under the Electoral Act, 2022.

Answering clearly the questions referred to him under cross examination by Counsels to the first respondents, Kanu Agabi SAN, the expert witness confirmed with mathematical accuracy that after you take away the invalid votes from the valid votes, the petitioner Dr. Ighodalo clearly won the September 21st Governorship election in Edo State.

Pressed further by Counsels to 2nd respondents (Okpebholo), Onyechi Ikpeazu SAN, the expert witness affirmed that the case of non prior recording of serial numbers by INEC is exclusively based on forms EC25B and this affected 320 Polling Units which ought to be invalidated in accordance with the Electoral Act.

A mild drama occurred during his Cross examination by Counsel to APC, E.U Ukala, the Witness was quizzed on where he obtained BVAS Accreditation reports and he showed further proof that they are duly certified as data extracts from the BVAS machine obtained by INEC in January 2025. Frustrated by this response, Counsel to APC decided to let him go without using up the time allotted for his cross examination.

The expert witness was ever willing to go on but Counsels to Respondents pleaded for adjournment to January 30th 2025.