Governors affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) conveyed their trust in the judiciary’s ability to dispense justice in electoral disputes, following the varied outcomes of the recent Appeal Court verdicts. The governors expressed optimism that the Supreme Court would rectify temporary setbacks, particularly in Zamfara and Plateau States.
The declaration emerged from a meeting held in Abuja, where the governors addressed the media. The Appeal Court overturned the PDP’s governorship victories in Zamfara and Plateau States while also dismissing the party’s previously favorable verdict in Nasarawa State. The PDP is poised to challenge these decisions at the Supreme Court.
Chairman of the forum and Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, stated, “As a Forum, we once again re-state our overall confidence in the judiciary to do justice. We believe that the Supreme Court will do justice in the cases where we recorded temporary setbacks like Zamfara and Plateau States.”
The governors also expressed approval of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to investigate allegations of pre-filled result sheets in Kogi. Governor Bala Mohammed remarked, “The meeting also reviewed the off-season elections in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo States. We support the decision of INEC to investigate the allegation of existence of pre-filled result sheets even before elections started in some places to ensure the confidence of the people in the electoral process.”
Addressing economic concerns, the governors urged the federal government to promptly prioritize the introduction of a new Revenue Allocation Formula that allocates more funds to States and Local Governments, enabling them to meet their growing responsibilities.
Governors in attendance included Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Dep. Gov. Ifeanyi Ossai of Enugu State, Dep. Gov. Kola Adewusi of Osun State, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Dep. Gov. Mani .M. Mummuni of Zamfara State. Responding to questions about the meeting’s attendance, Governor Bala Mohammed clarified that other governors are still members of the forum and emphasized their continued unity as a group.