The Governors Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the security of the country is in the hands of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The forum stated this in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, and read by its Chairman, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.
They disagreed with President Buhari who had claimed that the governors were responsible for the security situation in their respective states.
The governors insisted that under the Constitution, the President is vested with the ultimate power over security organisations, though the states have a role to play.
They advocated for the decentralisation of the operations of the security apparatus of the state to accommodate local operators at both the state and local governments levels.
“The meeting further called on the APC-led federal government to think outside the box and find solutions to the challenges facing electricity supply in Nigeria as the current system is certainly not delivering the power needed for Nigeria’s rapid industrialisation.
“On the recurring question of insecurity of lives and property in Nigeria, the PDP governors reiterated the need to decentralise the operations of the security apparatus of state even within the existing legal framework, to ensure the input of local operators in state and local governments in policing and security.
“Mr President seem not to be aware that the coercive instruments of State security is firmly within his hands and not the governors, considering his recent media interview on the subject.
“Mr President has ultimate authority under the Constitution over security organisations, even though the States have a role to play.
“Cooperation and synergy between States and the federal government in security operations is critical in securing Nigeria.
“In any case, even though, Police is on the Exclusive List, the States, as a practical matter spend huge sums of money to support the security agencies to carry out their duties.
“The need for an appropriate legal framework to involve the States in policing has become even more urgent by the day.
“To this end, we reiterate our call for the National Assembly to expedite action in passing the Electoral Act and Constitution amendments to ensure restructuring and decentralisation of governmental powers and functions,” the communique said.
The forum reviewed the emerging threats to democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law and advised the federal government to exercise power with restraint.
They also urged the president to review the suspension of Twitter’s operations in the country in the nation’s interest and condemned the reasons given for the suspension, saying it was personalised.
The meeting had all the 12 governors of the PDP in attendance, while the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Mohd, represented the state.
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