The Forum of Governors elected under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also known as Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), has thrown its full weight behind the Nigerian government on the decision to remove petrol subsidy.
The Governors expressed their support on Friday, during a courtesy call on President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
However, the Governors also voiced their concern over the sudden hike in petrol prices following the President’s pronouncement soon after his inauguration on Monday.
Addressing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, condemned the price increase on what he describes as “old stock” and called on marketers to be “their brothers’ keepers.”
“Government after Government attempted to remove subsidy on petroleum products right from 1999 till date and it has not been 100 percent successful.
“During the Presidential campaign, all the candidates pledged to remove petrol subsidy if they win the election. Now what the President did during the inauguration, he did not direct that subsidy should be removed.
“We already agreed in the National Economic Council that subsidizing petroleum products is no longer sustainable because for the past two years, we have been borrowing to subsidize.
“We need to ask who are the exact beneficiaries of this subsidy? It has gotten to a point that either that which is no longer sustainable is managed or there will be no Nigeria and all of us are committed to the success and unity of the country,” Uzodinma stated.
He said the Progressive Governors were in the State House to congratulate President Tinubu, who is now the father and leader of the APC.
“We are here today as members of the APC to fraternize with The President as our leader, and congratulate him on his election as President, and Commander-in-Chief.
“We expressed our support for him at this trying time in our history,’’ he said.
Uzodinma noted that the President had started well, by placing the economy and welfare of the people on a priority list, with honesty of purpose.
He called on Nigerians to rally behind the government’s decision to remove the subsidy.
19 Governors of APC-controlled States were part of the courtesy call on the President.
PIAK
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