Governors elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PPD, have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of running down the nation’s economy and inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians.
The governors, under the umbrella body of PDP Governors, expressed dismay and grave concern over what they called “unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC-led federal government”.
They frowned at the long delay in the minimum wage
negotiations.
Rising from a meeting hosted by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, the governors welcomed the autonomy granted Local Government Councils, and said that they believe in the efficacy of the Local Government system which ensures that governance is taken closer to the people as enshrined in the constitution.
The Forum also frowned at what it called the destruction of
good institutions and developments put in place by the party when it was in
power at the federal level by the ruling APC.
The Forum expressed strong support for the Governor of
Rivers State in his political battle and said that a political solution that
would bring peace to the state would be initiated.
A communique from the meeting read by the Forum’s Chairman,
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said:
“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues bordering
on critical national interest. The unprecedented hardship faced by the majority
of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC led federal
government, the minimum wage negotiations and the recurring issue of
intergovernmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy
and funding.
Following an exhaustive discussion and consultations with
all the organs of the party as you can see here, the national Working committee
of the party.
Upcoming congresses
“In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party
who adopted internal democracy as a fundamental principle on which our party
was built, the congresses leading to the elections of the party leaders at the
various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in compliance with
the constitution of our party. To ensure the successful conduct of the
congresses of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital
territory”.
Off-season election.
“Of the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo, the Forum
admonishes all parties in the election to ensure that campaigns are
issue-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provision of the
electoral act. The forum urges the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to
provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and peaceful
elections as any act of bias will be resisted. The forum urges the president to
show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement
suggesting political interference in the entire process”.
The economy
“The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led federal government”.
The Minimum wage
“The Minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly
protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and
impoverishment of the people. The forum resolves as follows: The Labour’s
demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore
commands total support of the forum. While the forum supports Labour’s demand,
agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the sub-nationals,
the federal government and the third tier of government.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in
both utterances and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and
order and ultimately the collapse of the economy”.
Supreme court ruling on LG autonomy
“The forum believes in the efficacy of the local government
system which ensures that governance comes closer to the people as provided in
the constitution. The forum will also support the autonomy of the local
government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Restoring the Nation’s Past Glory
“The forum regrets that the 16 years of the tremendous
development of the PDP-led federal government during which the country with
single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption
institutions and higher standard of living by the majority of Nigerians has
been eroded during the lifespan of the lacklustre APC led federal government.
“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and
promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rates, affordable
food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI influx resulting in high Naira value
and great quality of human life that was recorded.
“In that regard, the meeting commended the Governors of the
PDP-controlled states for their innovative approach to governance in many
fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth
initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects across the
country.
“The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State of the party and
commits to supporting the governor of Rivers State and also resolved that the
issue could be done through the political solution that will be required and
other measures that all the leaders of the organs of the party will be
committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal
friction, division or rancour.
“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from
any anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027”.
Earlier the chairman of the Forum described the meeting as
“an extraordinary meeting of the PDP Governors Forum and some of our major
stakeholders, including our National Working Committee and various organs of
the party. This meeting is very unique and auspicious because we are here to
showcase our history as a party. We have been leading in this country as a
party. We have all the structures established before the commencement of the
APC administration”.
The governors in attendance were Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers
State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta,
Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda
Lawal of Zamfara, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the
host governor, Peter Mbah.
Also in attendance were the Chairman of the PDP Board of
Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara and the Acting National Chairman of the
party, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek
Arapaja, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of
the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governor of Niger State, Dr
Babangida Aliyu.
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