The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum Wednesday rose from their two-day meeting in Enugu, saying that it has noted the “unprecedented hardship and impoverishment” of majority of Nigerians, which they said resulted from the mismanagement of the nation’s economy by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
The governors also raised concern that the minimum wage negotiations were becoming “unduly protracted”, even as they appealed for restraint in the discussions between organised Labour and the government.
In a communiqué signed by its Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the forum said the APC-led federal government had eroded all the “Sixteen years of tremendous development under the PDP-led federal government”.
The governors recalled that the country “Witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living for every Nigerian” during the 16-years the party held sway at the federal level.
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“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days, of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows resulting in high naira value and the greater quality of human life as recorded.
“In that regard, the meeting commended the governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches 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 therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027,” the communiqué read in part.
Earlier during the opening session of the meeting, Governor Mohammed vowed that the party would reclaim and recapture all public leadership positions in the country currently occupied by other political parties come 2027 general elections.
“Our assessment has shown at the national level that the country was driving into anarchy. We will not allow that because we share history, we share aspiration for Nigerians.
“It is high time the party reclaimed its leadership position in all the states that are currently being occupied by other parties,” he said.
New minimum wage necessary
On the demand for an increased minimum wage, the forum, while supporting the organised Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise in the minimum wage, said however, that whatever is agreed on must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal governments.
On the recent judgment of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy, the governors said they will continue to support the autonomy of the local governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
They, however, urged that implementation of the court’s decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal and sub-national governments, while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.
On the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, the governors reiterated their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and appealed for wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution.
They also said the forthcoming congresses of the party “Must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the constitution of the party.”
Aside Governor Mohammed and the host governor, Peter Mba, others at the meeting were: Governors Fubara, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Others were Governors Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State. Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke was absent.
Meanwhile, when contacted for a reaction to the snide comments against the APC-led government, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Barrister Felix Morka told Daily Trust that the APC will issue a well-considered response at the appropriate time.
The spokespersons for the president, Bayo Onanuga and Ajuri Ngelale did not also respond to enquiries up to press time.
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