PDP governors accuse APC led Govt of mismanaging Nigeria’s economy

By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Wednesday accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, led by President Bola Allmed Tinubu of allegedly mismanaging the economy of the country.

The PDP governors forum, however noted with great dismay and grave concern on the effects of the alleged mismanagement of the nation’s economy on Nigerians;

The governors forum made this known in a communique signed and read by the chairman, Bala A. Mohammed and governor of Bauchi state, shortly after a meeting held at the Enugu State Government House.

The Nations News Nigeriareports that the governors deliberated on a wide range of issues that bordered on the critical national interest, the state of the party, particularly the forthcoming congress of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Investigation revealed that the governors equally deliberated on 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 inter-governmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy and funding.

The communique, however reads in part: “In the spirit of the founding fathers of the great party who adopted internal democracy as the fundamental principle on which the party was built, the congresses leading to the election of party leaders, at the various tiers, must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the constitution of the party to ensure the successful conduct of the congresses across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

“On the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, the forum admonishes all the parties to the elections to ensure that campaigns are issues-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the electoral act.

“We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias will be totally resisted.

“We urge Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.

“On the issue of minimum wage, the forum noted that the minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted. In the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of our people.

The forum, however backed the enhanced minimum wage demand by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, saying that “Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum

“The Forum fully supports Labour’s demand, noting that agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government.

“Negotiations are ongoing, the forum appeals for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy.

“The Supreme Court ruling on local government allocation. The Forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided for in the constitution.

“The Forum will continue to support the autonomy of the Local Governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Forum holds the Supreme Court in the highest esteem, and is committed to obedience to court orders. However, the Forum urges that implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal governments and sub-national governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.

“On the issue of the Rivers crisis, the Forum notes the crises in the Rivers State Chapter of the party and commits to ensuring peace. The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises.

“Furthermore in restoring the nation past glory, the Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the PDP-led Federal Government, during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living for every Nigerian has been eroded during the life span of the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government..

“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 PDP govs vowed.