Governors elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform have urged the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to give up if it is unable to activate all organs and levels of government to find long-term solutions to Nigeria’s economic woes.
The PDP governors lamented that the cost of food items has recently risen, as have economic issues, making it difficult for Nigerians to purchase necessities.
The PDP governors, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, stated on Monday that Nigeria under Tinubu was on the verge of turning into Venezuela.
In response, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said in a statement that drawing parallels between Nigeria and Venezuela was mischievous, emphasizing that many PDP governors have failed to meet obligations such as paying the minimum wage, gratuities, and pensions.
He stated, “It is far-fetched when the PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, Cyril Maduabum, Director General of the PDP Governors Forum, explained that the party’s governors patriotically offered advice to the Federal Government, suggesting initiatives involving both the Federal and State Governments to address the nation’s security and economic challenges.
He stated that the proposals and guidance came from a group of patriotic governors who are actively involved in government.
The Forum applauded Tinubu for convening a special meeting to address some of the issues presented, and it asked that the meeting’s decisions be executed.
The statement read in part, “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.
“While all tiers of government have a role to play, the APC-led Federal Government has a disproportionate role to play in mobilizing Nigerians and all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions. If it cannot do so or is unable to do so, it should graciously throw in the towel.
“Attempts by the Honourable Minister of Information, the APC Governors’ Forum, and other officials of the Federal Government who criticized 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, shift blame, grandstand, or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.
“PDP-governed states are comparatively the best in Nigeria in terms of developmental policies, programs, and projects that benefit their states positively, such as regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and the 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, and 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.”
