by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has hit back at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over remarks by its members who recently defected from the PDP, describing the ADC as a “one-chance vehicle.”
In a statement on Sunday by its Director-General, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the forum likened the ADC to the biblical prodigal son, saying that any former members who return with genuine remorse would be accepted back.
The response followed criticisms by ADC leaders and some Zamfara residents who condemned the PDP governors’ dinner in Gusau, describing it as “insensitive” given that the state was mourning victims of recent bandit attacks.
ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, had called the gathering an “insensitive jamboree,” accusing the governors of ignoring the plight of citizens.
But the PDP governors dismissed the claims as baseless, insisting the meeting had been scheduled well in advance and was focused on critical national issues, particularly insecurity.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored them, but we need to correct the false impression being pushed to the public. Unlike the ADC, we do not play politics with human lives,” the statement read.
The forum said deliberations in Gusau also commended the Zamfara State Government’s efforts in addressing insecurity while expressing concern over persistent killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue states.
Agbo further described the ADC as a distraction within the PDP, noting that its exit had strengthened the party.
“Since their departure, PDP has become more united and focused. The ADC, with its misplaced sense of entitlement, was a stumbling block. That they fail to recognise the importance of security discussions is not surprising,” the statement added.