The national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised President Bola Tinubu not to engage the military as a means of restoring democratic government in the Republic of Niger.

The party leaders gave the advice in a communique issued after a meeting by the PDP Governors’ Forum in Abuja on Saturday.

They, in the communique read by the chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state, advised government to further employ all tools of dialogue and diplomacy.

“They advised Tinubu and the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country.

“Rather, all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed, he said.

The party leaders also counselled the federal government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of governance, saying 48 ministers and several special advisers and assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.

The leaders also said that governors would work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability.

They also emphasised on the need for party discipline and re-iterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage.

They said that no individual or group of individuals would be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.

“The party leaders are committed to repositioning and stabilising the party, and the healing and reconciliation process are in progress and yielding results.

“The meeting signaled that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded,” he said.

They said that the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the PDP vice presidential candidate, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, challenging the outcome of the presidential election at the tribunal.

“The party leadership would do everything lawful towards achieving justice at the tribunal.

“The meeting congratulated the party for empanelling the Campaign Councils for the off-session elections in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi and urged the Campaign Councils to ensure victory for the party in the three States,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Mr Atiku, Mr Okowa, and all PDP governors, with the exception of those of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Oyo and Plateau. Also in attendance were the PDP national working committee (NWC) members.

(NAN)