PDP Governors Forum Accuses APC-led FG Of Eroding Standard Of Living

The PDP Governors’ Forum has expressed 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 completely eroded during the life span of the lacklustre All Progressives Congress, APC-led Federal Government.
The Forum under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed which met in Enugu State Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, particularly noted with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.

The Forum’s meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues that border on critical national interest, the state of the PDP particularly the forthcoming congress, the unprecedented hardship faced by majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the All Progressives Congress, 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.
A communique issued at the end of the Forum’s meeting and read by its chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed, noted that the minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted, stressing that in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of majority of our people, the Forum resolved that Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum
It however said that while the Forum fully supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the local government, sub-national and federal government.
The Forum appealed 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 while negotiations are ongoing.

On the Supreme Court judgement grant Local Government Areas financial autonomy, the Forum said it 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 thus, will continue to support the autonomy of the Local Governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The communique further stated; “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.
“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,” it stated.
The PDP Governors therefore called on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as the nation march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.

On the upcoming Party Congresses, the Forum said that in the spirit of the founding fathers of the PDP, 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.
On the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, the forum admonished 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.
The Forum further said; “Urges 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.
“Urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process,” the PDP Governors said.
The meeting thanked Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State for hosting the first meeting of the PDP Governors in recent times outside Abuja and for holding the Party together not only in Enugu State but in the entire South Eastern Geo-political Zone; as well as extolled his virtues and achievements as evidenced with major landmark projects and interventions.

PDP Governors that graced the meeting of the Forum included; Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) as chairman; Governor Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) as vice chairman; Governors Peter Mbah as host; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom); Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau); Agbu Kefas (Taraba); and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).