The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has criticised members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) who recently left the party, saying they are now realising they joined a “one-chance vehicle.”
In a statement issued by the forum’s director-general, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, the PDP likened the ADC to the biblical prodigal son and said defectors would be welcomed back if they show genuine regret.
The response came after ADC leaders and some Zamfara residents condemned the PDP governors’ colourful dinner in Gusau. Critics described the event as “insensitive,” arguing that it took place while people in the state were still mourning victims of bandit attacks.
ADC’s publicity secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, had branded the meeting an “insensitive jamboree,” accusing the PDP governors of ignoring the suffering of the people.
But the PDP governors dismissed the criticism, saying it was baseless and driven by frustration.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored them, but we need to correct the false impression being pushed to the public,” the statement read. “The meeting was planned long before, and unlike ADC, we do not play politics with human lives.”
The governors added that the Gusau gathering discussed major national issues, especially insecurity.
According to Agbo, the forum praised Zamfara’s efforts to tackle insecurity but condemned continued killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger, and Benue states.
The forum also described ADC members as “prodigal children” whose exit has brought peace and focus to the PDP.
“Since their departure, PDP has become stronger and more determined. The ADC, with its sense of entitlement, was a major obstacle to unity. That they cannot even see the importance of the security deliberations is not surprising,” the forum added.
