S’south govs restate support for Atiku- Okowa, upbeat on truce with G5

GOVERNORS in South South geopolitical zone have reaffirmed their support for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Speaking to reporters at Government House, Yenagoa, shortly after a meeting of four of the governors - including Okowa ( Delta State), Udom Emmanuel ( Akwa Ibom), Godwin Obaseki ( Edo) and Douye Diri ( Bayelsa) - Okowa said the governors were determined to deliver their party in next year’s presidential election.

He said issues involving their party’s G- 5 Governors, led by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, were being addressed.

He said the PDP presidential candidate and the five other governors would meet soon. “We believe that we are one family. There are still issues and they are being attended to. Very soon, there will be a meeting between the presidential candidate with the G5 Governors. “They are part of the family and we are not going to allow them go. So, obviously, everything is being put in place to reconcile all differences and move together as a family,” he said.

Diri described the South South as a stronghold of the PDP, saying the party would emerge victorious at all levels in next year’s general election.

He said: “I can only say, on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State, we appreciate the South South governors. “As my brother, the Governor of Edo has stated, we are one. In the family, there are always disputes. Those disputes do not separate us. We will resolve them and we’ll continue to push on as one.

“South South is a PDP region. It is a place where no other party can contend, except PDP. I assure you that in all the elections, from the presidency to the governorship, the national assembly and the state assembly, PDP will, again, triumph.” In his remarks, Obaseki said they were in the state to show support to the government and people of Bayelsa over recent floods that ravaged the state.

He said their support for the Atiku- Okowa ticket is sacrosanct and they would do all within their powers to unite the party and go into the election strong and united.