PDP Governors’ Forum Demands Devolution Of More Powers To States, LGs
…Urges President Buhari to sign Electoral Act Amendment into law
Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from their regular meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State declaring that as the National Assembly winds down this current phase of the Constitution Review exercise, there is the need to revisit the issue of devolution of more powers to the States and Local Governments.
This was as the Governors called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill before him into law.
Members of the PDP Governors’ Forum said that this opportunity to rejig the framework for policing and securing Nigeria should not be missed, stressing that it would set up a panel of Consultants to have a thorough look at the security architecture of Nigeria and make recommendations.
The Governors noted that President Buhari waiting to run out the 30 days on the Electoral Amendment Act is yet another sign of the unwillingness to give Nigeria a reformed Electoral framework.
The PDP Governors’ Forum specifically said that if there are still misgivings on any aspect of the Bill, amendments should be introduced at a later stage.
The Governors congratulated PDP for winning 43 out of 62 Councillorship positions in the just concluded Abuja Area Council elections.
It however noted that in spite of improvements in the conduct of elections, the Gwagwalada and Abuja Area Council results show that manipulations are still possible and therefore urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tighten all observed loopholes and further improve on the functioning of the BIVAS Machine for future elections.
The PDP Governors expressed displeasure on the issue of contaminated fuel supplied to Nigerians and urged the Federal Government to bring the perpetrators to account.
This was just as the Governors frowned at what they described as “the duplicity, inconsistency, insincerity” of the APC-led Federal Government on the fuel subsidy regime, which has been badly and corruptly administered.
The Governors noted that the figures of consumption ascribed to Nigerians appear fictitious and bloated and therefore called for proper investigation to be conducted on this matter.
The communique further states; “The Forum welcomed the Court decision on Police Trust Fund deductions from the Federation Account, a suit at the instance of Rivers State and urged the Federal Government to stop similar unconstitutional deductions from the Federation Account.
“In the same vein, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission should expedite action on the new Revenue Allocation formula in such a way as to increase allocation to States and Local Government.
“The Forum once again deplored the way and manner the CBN is being run as an alternate government, indeed, a government within a Government. It is time to streamline its functions and processes to be constitutionally compliant.
“The Forum once again decried the opaque nature of NNPC operations. It called for accountability and reconciliation of NNPC remittances into the federation account.
The PDP Governors Forum also urged the National Assembly to transfer some items from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent List.
The Governors congratulated Governor Douye Diri on his second anniversary in office, saying that he has made a positive difference for the people of Bayelsa State and also thanked him for being such a gracious and wonderful host.
In attendance at the meeting were Governors Okezie Ikpeazu – Abia State – Vice Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri – Adamawa State, Udom Emmanuel – Akwa Ibom State, Bala Mohammed – Bauchi State, Senator Douye Diri – Bayelsa State and Samuel Ortom – Benue State.
Others are Governors Ifeanyi Okowa – Delta State, Godwin Obaseki – Edo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Enugu State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde – Oyo State and Nyesom Wike – Rivers State.
