By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gathered for a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Enugu State.

During the meeting, the PDP governors criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for allegedly mismanaging the nation’s economy and causing significant hardship for Nigerians.

The governors, under the umbrella of the PDP Governors Forum, expressed their deep concern over what they described as “unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians due to the poor performance of the APC-led federal government.”

The governors also expressed their dissatisfaction with the prolonged delay in the minimum wage negotiations.

Following their meeting, hosted by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, the governors expressed their approval of the autonomy granted to Local Government Councils.

They emphasized their belief in the effectiveness of the Local Government system, which they argued brings governance closer to the people as outlined in the constitution.

The Forum also condemned what it termed the dismantling of beneficial institutions and developments established by the PDP when it was in power at the federal level, attributing this to the ruling APC.

Furthermore, the Forum declared their strong support for the Governor of Rivers State in his ongoing political struggle, and announced plans to pursue a political solution aimed at bringing peace to the state.

A communique from the meeting, read by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, detailed these concerns and resolutions:

“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues bordering on critical national interest. The unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC led federal government, the minimum wage negotiations and the recurring issue of intergovernmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy and funding.

“Following an exhaustive discussion and consultations with all the organs of the party as you can see here, the national Working committee of the party.”

Upcoming congresses
“In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party who adopted internal democracy as a fundamental principle on which our party was built, the congresses leading to the elections of the party leaders at the various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in compliance with the constitution of our party. To ensure the successful conduct of the congresses of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory.”

Off-season election.
“Of the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo, the Forum admonishes all parties in the election to ensure that campaigns are issue-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provision of the electoral act.

“The forum urges the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and peaceful elections as any act of bias will be resisted. The forum urges the president to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire process.”

The economy
“The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led federal government.”

The Minimum wage
“The Minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the people. The forum resolves as follows: The Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands total support of the forum. While the forum supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the sub-nationals, the federal government and the third tier of government.

While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately the collapse of the economy.”

Supreme court ruling on LG autonomy
“The forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance comes closer to the people as provided in the constitution. The forum will also support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Restoring the Nation’s Past Glory
“The forum regrets that the 16 years of the tremendous development of the PDP-led federal government during which the country with single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living by the majority of Nigerians has been eroded during the lifespan of the lacklustre APC led federal government.

“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rates, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI influx resulting in high Naira value and great quality of human life that was recorded.

“In that regard, the meeting commended the Governors of the PDP-controlled states for their innovative approach to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.

“The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State of the party and commits to supporting the governor of Rivers State and also resolved that the issue could be done through the political solution that will be required and other measures that all the leaders of the organs of the party will be committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal friction, division or rancour.

“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from any anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.”

Earlier the chairman of the Forum described the meeting as “an extraordinary meeting of the PDP Governors Forum and some of our major stakeholders, including our National Working Committee and various organs of the party. This meeting is very unique and auspicious because we are here to showcase our history as a party. We have been leading in this country as a party. We have all the structures established before the commencement of the APC administration.”

The governors in attendance were Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, and the host governor, Peter Mbah of Enugu.

Also present were Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, representing the Acting National Chairman, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu.