The governors from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have concluded their one-day meeting in Enugu on Wednesday.
After the political rendezvous it had with the National Working Committee of the party, they released a communique expressing intense dismay with the economic management of the country under the All Progressives Congress-led federal government with a promise to Nigerians to reverse the suffering if returned to power in 2027.
The resolutions were read by PDP Governors Forum Chairman Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State.
On Economic Crisis
On the economic difficulties marked by inflation and food shortages, the governors said in part,
The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government. 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 a higher standard of living for every Nigerian, have been eroded during the life span of the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government.
The Forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back the good old days—of the 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. 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.
On the Minimum Wage
The governors also supported the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on its demand for an upward review of the minimum wage to measure the rising cost of essential commodities.
The PDP governors urged the federal government to expedite action on increasing the minimum wage for workers. Still, they noted that the ability of other tiers of government to pay should be taken into consideration. They 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.
They said,
Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands the total support of the Forum. 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.
While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal 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.
On Upcoming State Elections
The main opposition party also called for support for its candidates in the forthcoming Edo and Ondo governorship elections. It advocated for violence-free campaigns among the parties in compliance with electoral laws. They tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections in the two states. The PDP also urged the President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making statements suggesting political interference in the entire process.
The Forum 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 resisted. The Forum also urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.”
On Power Struggle In Rivers State
The governors pulled their weight behind one of their own – Governor Sim Fubara in his struggle for control with certain political forces in the state, saying,
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. At the same time, we should employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises.
On LGA Financial Autonomy
The governors welcomed the Supreme Court’s judgment on local government autonomy. Still, they urged that the implementation of the court decision not create a trust deficit between the federal government and subnational governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.
“The implementation of the court decision must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal government and subnational governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer,” the governors said.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the forum thanked their host governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, “for holding the Party together not only in Enugu State but in the entire South Eastern geo-political zone”. They extolled the landmark projects of Mbah’s administration in the state.
At least 12 of the 13 PDP governors were present, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the host, Governor Mbah.
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