Governors’ Forum (NGF), insisting that the recent formation of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) was not in the interest of Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists in Owerri, the Governor who lately became a factional leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), noted that democratic ideals in the country would be best served if the NGF remained undivided.
“The Governors Forum has not been divided because we still have only one Governors’ Forum.
“I do not support the idea of Governors forming separate forum under different parties because if we allow that, very soon we will have APGA, ACN, ANPP Governors forums and it is not good and healthy for our democracy.
“We must learn when to drop politics and embrace governance. We should talk more about the future of the next generation and not who wins election.
“Governors’ Forum should remain as it is otherwise APC will have its own Governors’ Forum and it is not good for our democracy,” Okorocha said.
He argued that the formation of the PDP Governors Forum was a panicky reaction by the PDP which felt threatened by the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The emergence of APC has jolted the PDP and it (PDP) has woken up to form the PDP Governors’ Forum, and I believe that any party in power that is not doing well should be changed,” he said.
Reacting to his unilateral involvement in the merger talks by opposition parties, the Governor said though he was a foundation member of the PDP, the party was no longer living up to its billing.
“I wholeheartedly supported the merger and I do not intend to turn away from it, because the APC is good for democracy and for Nigeria; it will guarantee the provision of dividends of democracy.”
He added: “I was one of the founding fathers of the PDP but the party is not what people think it should be, hence it is not the best for the South East.
“The APC is a child of necessity because Nigerians are tired of the PDP and now want a change through the APC; the APC will do well in the South East and it has come to replace the PDP.”
He pointed out that “of all the five key positions in the country – President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and National Chairman of the PDP – none was allotted to the South East,” and expressed optimism that this would be redressed by the APC.
