Hardship: Nigeria almost on the road to Venezuela – PDP Governors

Governors elected on the platform of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting in Abuja, on Monday, with a call on President Bola Tinubu to immediately put in place initiatives that will bring the crisis to an end.

Addressing journalists at Oyo Governors lodge in Asokoro, Bauchi State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Muhammed, said the meeting deliberated on various issues of interest and concern to the country.

Bala lamented that Nigeria is almost on the road to Venezuela and called on the Federal Government to work with relevant stakeholders with a view to bringing succor to Nigerians.

He said: “The meeting reviewed the State of the Nation and noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

“The Forum consequently urges the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency embark on initiatives involving all the sub national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises,” adding that the PDP Governors will continue to play their part in the effort to bring security and succour to Nigerians.

The Governors also reiterated the call for State Police, with appropriate safeguards to avoid any abuse or overreach by any tier of government.

The Forum also decried the falling value of the Naira and requested the “monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions.”

Meanwhile, answering questions from journalists, Governor Bala flanked by other PDP Governors said, “Nigerians took a decision to bring the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement. What we are doing is giving positive criticism to the obnoxious policies of the federal government.

“But at the onset of this administration, we supported the removal of subsidy, we believed that there were safeguards, we believed that if we took collective decisions, we should go by it. But certainly, we have seen that it is a free fall for the naira. The cost of living is going high, we are almost on the road to Venezuela.

“So, we are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. But ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succour to all of us.”

He also said many things were being done across party lines, on bi-partisan basis, within the Nigeria governors forum, the National Economic Council to “make sure that we cushion the effects of some of these policies. We have reached out to our people and opened the food reserves in a manner that it will provide some succour to our people at the lower level.”