The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), Senator Bala Mohammed, has said that his Rivers State counterpart, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has proven himself a true democrat, who, against all odds, has pushed through with decisions and actions to deepen democracy.

Mohammed said Fubara deployed democratic instincts with strategies to deliver democratic governance at the local government level, irrespective of party allegiance or consideration.

The Bauchi State governor made the remark after witnessing the swearing-in of 23 Rivers State Local Government Council Chairmen at the Executive Chambers of Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday evening.

The PDP Governors’ Forum chairman affirmed that Rivers State is a PDP State, even if the just sworn-in local government chairmen and councilors are of different political parties.

Mohammed lamented the situation, describing it as the problem that they have found themselves both as a party and as governors.

However, Senator Mohammed said Governor Fubara, who is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, is still an avowed member of the PDP even though other parties constitute the body of elected officers at the local government level.

“He didn’t have a structure of the party in the State, for certain reasons, and he had to go out to make sure he allows other parties to participate within the political space so that there wouldn’t be any vacuum,” he said.

“And, I think this is very auspicious, that is very creative and I am very proud of him. And I said, yes, we have lost as a party, and that is why we want to be running away from this.

“Again, he has established himself as a Governor and the pride of all the governors in Nigeria.”

Mohammed pointed out why it is inadvisable to ignore a sitting governor at the sub-national level because of the role he plays and the following he commands.

“A Governor is the Chief Executive. He can do anything. He can spring surprises because the Nigerian State is run by governors at the sub-national level,” he said.

“Even the Federal Government is a tenant. Nigerians live in the States and Local Governments, and that is why what he did today is very proactive and creative, irrespective of the fact that he knew his party will lose.

“And certainly, because of his deep democratic instincts, he had to allow the other parties to win, and I will just wish that those who have won will see it in their own modesty and willing to give him support.

“Because he is not doing it with any strings or asking them to do anything. Let the APP and him have that relationship so that he can govern.”

Mohammed recalled that he encountered a similar situation in 2019 that Fubara was being confronted with but braced up and was able to navigate through it safely.

“I had a similar situation in 2019. I governed a State where only nine PDP person were members in the State Assembly and he (Fubara) is still doing that,” Mohammed said.

“So, his political sagacity has come to a level where he has become a specimen for democratic studies in Nigeria.

“And that is the more reason I am here. Governor Siminalayi Fubara is the Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. All the governors are with him, and certainly, we are taking steps to ensure reconciliation.

“Reconciliation with somebody who they had started with; the former Governor of this State and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a must because, certainly, they have come a long way. We didn’t want to throw the baby away with the bad water.

“And certainly, the governors are with the Governor (Fubara) because this is our own tradition and fraternity; at the same time, out of our own political history as a party that has history of governance.

“We are still stretching our arms of reconciliation to his mentor, to his friend and brother, and also our colleague.”