…renew call for APC to comply with court ruling in Osun LGA election
…vow to fight for payment of indigenous contractors
By Gloria Ikibah 
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of citizens, stressing that the country is confronted with mounting challenges.
The lawmakers made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, following an emergency meeting convened to align with resolutions earlier adopted by the party’s leadership during its sessions in Zamfara State.
Addressing journalists, the Caucus Leader, Rep. Fred Agbedi, said the group also extended congratulations to Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun on his formal emergence as the National Chairman of the PDP after serving in an acting capacity for several years.
He said, “The PDP, being a party that complies with their constitution and rules and conventions, have once again proved their desire for due process and yesterday, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum former Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, was again elected, mandated to lead the party up to the convention and the emergence of a new executive of the PDP by November and eventually to be sworn in early December.
“We are proud of what the National Executive Committee did yesterday, the peaceful manner, the way in which the NEC was conducted, the support from this caucus before the NEC, the support from Governor’s Forum, the support from former ministers, the support from chairmen of parties across the state, the support from members of the National Working Committee, the support from BOT and other organs of the party, have again proved that PDP is the only party and a party to be relied on by Nigeria”.
Rep. Agbedi also renewed his appeal for the President Tinubu’s APC-led administration to act fairly toward the people of Osun State and comply with the court ruling on the conduct of the local government elections in the state.
“We want to also use this opportunity to ask the federal government to release, obey court, valid court judgments leading to validity or validating the local government elections that were held in Osun State.
“Osun State is led by a PDP governor, a successful government and governor who has proved that he’s in touch with his people and is delivering dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State.
“We are surprised that a supposedly democratic person, the president of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who himself encountered a similar situation, is holding the local government funds and local government administration of Osun State to ransom.
“This is anti-democratic and as a party caucus in the House of Reps, who are lawmakers, we insist that the right thing be done, due process be complied with, legal judgments be obeyed, so that Oshun State and the people of Oshun State and the local governments will enjoy the benefits of the creation and administration of local governments in Osun State.
“And so we urge Mr. President to put a stop to this illegality that is going on by seizing the funds of Osun local governments in Nigeria and immediately release the funds to the validly elected administrations across all the local governments in Osun State.
“We also want to call the attention of Nigerians and the government in power to ensure that there’s safety for Nigerians from Imo State to Katsina State to Plateau State to Benue State, across the nation, Zamfara State, Borono State”, he added.
According to the Caucus, violent attacks and killings have continued to spread across the country, raising questions about the government’s ability to safeguard its citizens.
The lawmakers argued that any administration that fails in its primary duty of protecting lives cannot justify remaining in office.
They further ccriticised the ruling APC, insisting that after nearly a decade in power, the party has fallen short of meeting the expectations of Nigerians.
“Not only killings, there’s a lot of hardship in this country and Nigerians are groaning in their pains daily. People are committing suicide because the government is not paying attention to them. And Nigerians have come to know that PDP is the only party that can bring so-called to them.
“We can imagine a situation where Nigerians are killed and Mr. President is far away in Brazil and other countries. We remember that when the Chibok incident happened, President Goodluck was out of the country and immediately it happened, he cut off his trip and returned to Nigeria to make sure that he showed solidarity with Nigerians, with Borno State and ensure that government was on ground to see how our children were going to be recovered. Over 10,000 people have been killed in about two years and it is mind-boggling.
“Nigerians are groaning. Mr. President, ensure that you pay your attention to the sufferings of Nigeria. And we want to urge Nigerians to insist that there should be good governors, to insist that they are going to, in 2027, ensure that they decide the right person and the right party to lead them, to give support, to ensure that they vote the APC out”, the caucus stated.
The caucus also urged the Federal Government to settle outstanding payments owed to local contractors who have been protesting in recent weeks. They noted with concern that while foreign contractors appear to be receiving their dues, many Nigerian contractors are left struggling.
The legislators therefore vowed to press for the payment of all verified debts owed to indigenous contractors who have completed their projects, stressing that such payments are vital for the contractors to support their families, sustain their businesses, and contribute to the nation’s economy.
“And as a caucus, we will continue to ensure that we put this government on our toes. As a caucus, we will ensure that we do the right laws to help Nigeria.As a caucus, we will ensure that we bring to attention all the illegalities that are perpetrated by this government and we will make sure that Nigerians are better for it”, the lawmakers pledged.
