The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio on Wednesday maintained that the party will not lose any of its states during April 11th governorship elections.
The party lost the Presidential election last Saturday to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan along with other PDP governors, Akpabio commended Jonathan for sacrificing his political ambition for the sake of Nigeria.
According to him, Jonathan has set a statesmanlike record in Africa by conceding victory to the opposition despite glaring flaws characterising the election like malfunctioning voter card readers, and intimidation.
He reiterated the party’s position that it would explore possible legal options in seeking redress over the anomalies observed during the election.
He said: “I am sure the PDP as a party will react on matters connecting with the elections of March 28. But as governors we came to pay solidarity with our president and to commend him for being a statesman.”
“Honestly he has done something that no African leader has done in such a flawed exercise, with underage voters everywhere, with disparity between states, some using card readers, some failed card readers, some using manual and some states not using manual and some just taking ballot papers to government houses, particularly in certain parts of the country.
“Yes, very flawed exercise; yet he looked at it and said in spite of it all I want to ensure peace, unity and stability of the country, let me give an opportunity to the APC Presidential candidate to come in and then give his own to the country.
“That kind of sacrificial stand by a president can only come from a PDP president and that is why we are very proud of what has happened,” Akpabio added
He also said that the PDP was glad not only to have pilot the affairs of the country for the past 16 years but also giving Nigeria a very peaceful transition that had shocked all and sundry.
The governor also dismissed reports that the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu had resigned his appointment.
He said that he spoke with Muazu 30 minutes earlier and nothing of such had happened
He also explained that some of the PDP governors could not make it to the meeting with the President because the notice was too short.
Among the PDP governors who met with President Jonathan include Theodore Orji (Abia); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River).
Others are Idris Wada (Kogi); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi); Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe); Murktar Yero (Kaduna); Jonah Jang (Plateau); and Sullivan Chime (Enugu).
Some Minsters who also met with the President were Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (Agriculture); Ibrahim Shekarau (Education); Musiliu Obanikoro (State, Foreign Affairs II); Professor Viola Onwuliri (State, Education); Mohammed Adoke (Attorney General); Abba Moro (Interior); Aminu Wali (Foreign Affairs) and Suleiman Abubakar (National Planning).
Others are Zainab Maina (Women Affairs); Omobola Johnson (Communication Technology); Sarah Ochekpe (Water Resources); Laraba Mallam (Environment); and Akon Eyakenyi (Land and Housing).
