PDP Class Of ’99 Govs Under Fire Over Visit To Tinubu

The class of 1999 governors under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have come under fire for their recent visit to President Bola Tinubu.

Naija News gathered that some political actors said no present or past governor of the main opposition PDP has the right to visit the President while the party’s flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, is in court challenging Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election.

According to The Guardian, some sources who pleaded anonymity said their visitation could be considered as anti-party activities as well because it’s a sign of acceptance of the President’s victory while the PDP is in court to challenge same.

Recall that the 1999 set of state governors paid a visit to President Tinubu, who won on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume.

The former governors led by the former Governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbinedion, had gone to visit Tinubu and Akume to felicitate them on their election as the President and appointment as SGF, respectively.

However, beyond that, Igbinedion revealed that the former governors also deliberated on how to move Nigeria forward.

He said, “We are now talking of the project Nigeria and not about political affiliations. It is time to work for the progress of the country.

“The president (Tinubu) assured us that it is his dream to see a better Nigeria where all citizens feel a sense of belonging. He also said that Nigerians should be patient with recent decisions taken by the administration.

“We also acknowledged that the issue of fuel subsidy removal is a right decision and palliatives should be provided.”

While some political observers have described the reunion as a way to guide Tinubu, others say it’s just a mere ‘reunion’ of old political friends and not relevant to the nation’s progress.

However, a source told The Guardian that the meeting might also be at the instance of Akume, who is part of the set of 1999 governors.

The source said, “The meeting must have been arranged. For instance, Akume, who is now the SGF, is probably getting rewarded for his loyalty to President Tinubu.” 

Another source stated that the governors who were not members of the ruling party but were part of the meeting could also be accused of engaging in anti-party activities.

The source explained that since the significant opposition PDP is still in court challenging the victory of President Tinubu, they have no business visiting the President

The source states, “As long as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is still in court, I do not see why any PDP past or present governors should be part of the visit. If we frowned at former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and Governor Seyi Makinde, over their visits to Tinubu, what then do we do concerning this?”