PDP Governors Meeting Ends with Far Reaching Resolutions
By Chukwumerije Aja, Enugu
The meeting of the governors elected under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, has come to an end in Enugu with far-reaching resolutions.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, the Chairman of PDP governors forum and governor of Bauchi state, Senator Bala Mohammed said the meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues bordering on critical national interest.
Governor Mohammed also talked about 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.
According to Sen. Mohammed, “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; the meeting was resolved as follows
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 at the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory
Off-season election
“Of the off-season election in Edo and Ondo States, the forum admonishes all parties in the election to ensure that campaigns are issue-based, violent 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 totally 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 great 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: That the Labour demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands total support of the forum. While the forum supports Labour’s demand, the 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 a majority of Nigerians has been eroded during the lifespan of the lackluster 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 a 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.
Other governors who participated in the meeting are 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, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Other participants include the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the Acting National Chairman of the party, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and the former governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu.
Emmanuel Ukoh
