Governors under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Bola Tinubu, to gracefully step down if it fails to rally Nigerians and all governmental bodies for sustainable solutions to the nation’s myriad challenges.
The PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) emphasized that the suffering endured by Nigerians transcends tribal, religious, or party lines, adding that hunger breeds frustration.
This counsel was articulated in a statement over the weekend by the Director-General of the PDP-GF, Hon. CID Maduabum, in Abuja.
The PDP Governors underscored that ultimate responsibility rests with the President as Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and foremost leader.
Despite their critique, the PDP-GF pledged continued collaboration with the President to address the arduous circumstances exacerbated by the APC since 2015.
Expressing disapproval, the PDP Governors rebuked the Minister of Information, the APC Governors’ Forum, and other APC officials for their criticism of the PDP-GF’s recommendations and patriotic interventions, as outlined in a recent communiqué from their meeting in Abuja.
Furthermore, the PDP Governors reminded the APC-led government of its obligation to tackle Nigeria’s problems instead of exacerbating them, shifting blame, engaging in grandstanding, or resorting to propaganda to distort or obscure issues.
The PDP-GF, in its statement at the weekend, categorically declared, “It must be noted that even though Nigeria is a Federation, there is indeed only one economy.
“Hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious or party coloration. A hungry man is an angry man.
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“While all tiers of government have a role to play, the APC led Federal Government has a disproportionate role to play in mobilising Nigerians and all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions.
“If it can not do so or is unable to do so, it should graciously throw in the towel.
“Attempts by the Honourable Minister of Information, APC Governors’ Forum and other officials of the Federal Government who criticised the PDP Governors’ Forum for their patriotic intervention should be guided by the fact that the APC sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria not to compound them or shift blame, or grandstand or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.
“PDP-governed states are comparatively the best in Nigeria in terms of developmental policies, programmes, and projects that benefit their states positively, regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and minimum wage to their workforce.
“State governments that are delinquent on these issues are not of PDP extraction. It is false to say so.
“Even the food crises are exacerbated by insecurity and high exchange rate issues, among others, which are largely federal subjects.
“The PDP Governors, as stakeholders in governance, would continue to work collaboratively with Mr. President to find lasting solutions to a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015. We believe in cooperative Federalism.
“The buck ultimately stops at Mr. President’s table as the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria, the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Chief Salesman and Leader of Nigeria.
“We are not in doubt that he is trying his best. We only hope and pray that his best is good enough to take Nigeria out of the woods in the shortest possible time”, the PDP Governors emphatically said.
Recall that on February 12th, 2024, the PDP Governors, led by Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State, convened a meeting. They issued a communiqué representing the Member-Governors’ stance on various matters, including:
Advising the Federal Government to engage in initiatives involving both Federal and Sub-National Governments to address the nation’s security and economic challenges.
Reiterating their previous call for the creation of State Police with measures to prevent abuse and overreach by any governmental level.
Urging collaborative efforts between the Monetary and Fiscal Authorities of the Federation, recognizing them as primary agents in a Federal structure.
During the question and answer session, the Forum Chairman cautioned that without urgent action, Nigeria could face a situation akin to Venezuela’s.
These recommendations reflect the patriotic contributions of the Governors to governance. Furthermore, they commend Mr. President for promptly attending a special meeting on February 15th, 2024, where these issues were discussed between Federal and State Governments.
Signed by Hon. CID Maduabum, DG PDP Governors’ Forum
(Vanguard)