The PDP Governors’ Forum has dismissed claims that Chairman Bala Mohammed filed a lawsuit against the party’s NEC meeting, calling it malicious.

The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has vehemently rejected allegations that its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, filed a lawsuit against the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

The Forum labelled these claims as “dubious, malicious, and an attempt to smear the character of Mohammed.”

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This clarification came in a statement issued by Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the Director-General of PDP-GF, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The controversy arose after an online publication reported that Governor Mohammed had approached the Federal High Court, Gusau Judicial Division, seeking an ex parte order to compel the convening of the NEC meeting.

In his statement, Agbo strongly denied the allegations, asserting, “This is to emphatically state that the Chairman of the PDP-GF and governor of Bauchi State does not in any way, either by proxy or himself, have anything to do with the said suit.”

He urged supporters and the public to disregard the unfounded claims regarding any legal actions instigated by the Chairman or any members of the Forum.

The PDP had postponed its NEC meeting, originally scheduled for 24 October, to 28 November. Governor Mohammed explained that the decision to reschedule was reached during a consultative meeting involving various party organs.

This delay aims to ensure that the PDP enters the upcoming Ondo gubernatorial elections, set for 16 November, with the unity and strength necessary to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state.

Emphasising the importance of unity, Mohammed urged party members to avoid divisive remarks that could weaken ongoing efforts to strengthen the PDP as Nigeria’s main opposition party.

He called for collective focus on the goal of reclaiming power in the 2027 elections.

The consultative meeting saw the attendance of various key figures, including members of the PDP-GF, the Board of Trustees, the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Assembly leadership of the PDP Caucus, and the Forum of Former Governors of the party.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti encourages Nigerian youths to join politics, emphasising that it is key to influencing decisions about their future.

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has issued a clarion call to Nigerian youths, urging them to become actively involved in politics to shape the future of their country.

Speaking during a service at The Transforming Church (TTC) in Abuja on Sunday, Otti emphasised that political participation is essential for young people to make impactful decisions that will determine the course of their lives and that of future generations.

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The governor highlighted the potential for transformative change if youths embrace political power, stating, “Every society needs the leadership it deserves.

If you sit back and say politics is for politicians, the politicians will decide everything for you.” He further challenged the young people in attendance, adding, “Don’t shy away from politics. That is where decisions about your future are made.”

Quoting Psalms 62:11, Otti reminded the congregation that power belongs to God and urged youths not to shy away from seeking positions of influence.

He said, “You can make a lot of changes if you have power, and that is what politics will give you to create the changes you want to see in the lives of your people.”

Reflecting on his own journey, the governor shared how he transitioned from the banking sector into politics in 2014 to make a meaningful difference.

“As the governor of Abia, I can affect the entire population of the state by just one action,” Otti remarked, highlighting the profound impact that holding political office can have.

Otti also called on Christians to complement their prayers with hard work, stressing that dreams and aspirations can only be realised through dedicated effort. “Prayer alone is not enough; hard work is necessary for success,” he advised.

During the sermon, the lead pastor of the church, Rev. Sam Oye, spoke about the goodness of God and encouraged Nigerians to keep their faith strong despite the challenges they face.

Quoting Psalm 119:68, Oye reminded the congregation of the importance of being good to others and maintaining hope.

He also expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for his visit, reaffirming the church’s commitment to praying for those in leadership positions.

Otti’s message resonated with many, especially in a time when Nigerian youths are increasingly seeking avenues for greater political engagement.

His call for active participation is seen as a push towards a more inclusive political landscape in the country.

Governor Bala Mohammed criticises Federal Government’s economic policies, urging for reforms to reduce hardship and improve Nigerians’ quality of life.

Bala Mohammed, the Governor of Bauchi State, has voiced his concerns over the economic policies of the Federal Government, criticising their impact on the Nigerian populace.

Speaking at the launch of the Nigeria Development Update report by the World Bank in Abuja on Thursday, the governor expressed disappointment in the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he says are failing to ease the hardships faced by Nigerians.

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Governor Mohammed pointed out that the revenues allocated to state governments are insufficient to address the many challenges they face.

He emphasised that Nigerians across the board — from federal to local government levels — are not benefiting from the current economic regime.

“We should go back to the basics. Nigerians are not enjoying the regime at this time,” Mohammed said. “The money that we are sharing is not enough.

The report spoke about employment, wages, and how many per cent of Nigerians are even employed. Most of our people live in the informal sector; we should look at how we can make them self-employed.”

The governor also lamented the declining purchasing power of Nigerians and called for urgent budgetary and policy reforms that could alleviate the current economic difficulties.

He stressed that without a fresh approach, these policies would continue to fall short of expectations.

Introducing the new World Bank report, lead economist Alex Sienaert explained that Nigeria’s macroeconomic stabilisation reforms must be bolstered by efforts to create more productive jobs to achieve sustained economic growth.

Dr. Ndiame Diop, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, echoed the need for continued reforms, acknowledging that while these measures may be difficult in the short term, they are essential for the country’s long-term stability. Diop warned that reversing or opposing these reforms could severely hinder Nigeria’s development.