Tag: PDP GOVERNORS

Rivers emergency suit: PDP governors yet to serve FG — AGF

The office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) and the Federal Government may not yet have been served summons on the suit filed by 11 governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenging President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminilayi Fubara, according to indications yesterday.

Also being challenged by the PDP governors is the President’s declaration of a state of emergency rule in Rivers.

The AGF and the FG are listed as defendants in the suit, However, sources at the OAGF told The Nation yesterday that the summons were yet to be received by the supposed defendants.

This, sources said, had not enabled the defendants to respond to the issues raised in the suit.

Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd), the Sole Administrator appointed by President Tinubu to run the state’s affairs in the absence of Fubara, yesterday explained that his decision to appoint administrators for the 23 local government areas in the state came from his findings when he visited some of the councils.

Also yesterday, hundreds of women in the state took to the streets of Port Harcourt, the state capital, demanding a reversal of the emergency rule in the state.

The aggrieved women marched along the popular Aba Road from Isaac Boro Park to Garrison Junction, displaying placards and chanting solidarity songs.

A senior official in the office of the AGF said of the PDP governors’ suit: “We have read about the suit in the media.

“You in the media are the one telling us that a suit has been filed by some PDP controlled states against the emergency rule declared in Rivers State.

“For now, I can confirm to you that the office of the AGF has not been served. I believe it is this office that will also be served with processes intended for the Federal Government or the President.

“We are waiting. This is our office. If indeed any suit has been filed, we will respond accordingly once we are served as required.”

In the suit, marked SC/CV/329/2025, the Attorneys- General of Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states are asking the Supreme Court to determine if the President has power to suspend a democratically elected structure of a state.

They also want the apex court to determine if the way and manner the President pronounced the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State was not in contravention of the 1999 Constitution.

Specifically, the plaintiffs are praying the court to determine the following: “Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a Governor and the Deputy Governor of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria and replace same with his own unelected nominee as a Sole Administrator, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of the State of the Federation, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs States?

“Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 4(6), 11(4) & (5), 90, 105 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend the House of Assembly of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of such States, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs States?

“Whether the consequent threat by the first Defendant acting on behalf of the President to the States of the Federation, including the Plaintiffs’ States, to the effect that the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the States can be suspended by the President by virtue of a Proclamation of a State of Emergency, is not in contravention of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 4(6), 5(2), 11(2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and inconsistent with the principles of constitutional federalism?”

Vice-Admiral Ibas at a meeting yesterday with the 23 local government administrators in Port Harcourt said that he realised that he needed people to help him at the grassroots to enable him actualise the mandate given him by President Tinubu.

He advised the LG administrators to work within the principles of accountability, transparency and sense of service to help them build trust and promote sustainable development.

Ibas told them to focus on issues of sanitation, environmental management, primary healthcare, welfare and discipline of local government civil servants, primary education, and youth engagement.

He said such areas would form the basis of assessing their performances in the coming weeks.

He said: “Since resuming this assignment, I have taken time to visit a few local government areas.

“Those visits have afforded me the opportunity to interact with local government civil servants, and it was clear that I needed help with administering the entire state after the emergency proclamation areas which I am responsible for following from Mr. President’s proclamation.

“And So, I went about trying to identify few individuals from which in the 7th April 2025, I selected those seated here today as administrators of the 23 Local Government Areas.

“I expect you all to recognise this moment in history and rise to the occasion as impartial leaders that will help me deliver on the mandate given to me by Mr President to restore peace and stability and work towards returning all democratic institutions in the state.

“Your selection to the important office is not by chance but a recognition of your capacity to lead, your commitment to service and the trust reposed in you to bring governance closer to the people.

“Therefore, you bear the sacred responsibility, a duty to ensure that affairs of your respect councils are managed with the utmost care, respect, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of our people.”

His administration, he said, would not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse office or misuse of public funds or trust.

He declared that resources allocated to the LGs must be used strictly for the purposes intended.

April 12, 2025
PDP Governors laud Oborevwori for massive infrastructural devt of Delta

Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has lauded Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the massive infrastructural development across the State.

Governor Mohammed gave the commendation, Thursday night during a state banquet organised for members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, ahead of the forum’s meeting scheduled for Friday at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Asaba.

He also commended other governors of the party for their various contributions to the development of their states, insisting that despite the internal challenges plaguing the party, the PDP remained the party of prime choice for Nigerians.

PDP governors

According to him, ”Delta State is awash with projects and it remains the face of PDP in Nigeria. As a party, we are known for projects and good governance because every state you go to you find similar projects.

“PDP is a grass root party; we have the experience and the capacity to develop the nation. We are happy to see that we are all doing well and we are very grateful to God we are here.

“As your servants, we are ready to work for our people. We are connecting with our leaders across the country and we are not just coming to talk; we learn from each other for the progress of our states.

He thanked Governor Oborevwori and the people of the state for their hospitality and reception, assuring that the party would come out of its present challenges stronger.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Governor Oborevwori thanked his brother Governors for coming, and assured that the party would come out with resolutions that would unite it and the country.

He added, “I welcome all of you, especially my brother governors, and your entourage to Delta State, the Big Heart of the nation.

“As many of you may be aware, Delta State is a mini-Nigeria with multiple ethnic nationalities. Our strength is in our diversity. It is what makes us unique and special to the world.

“We are so different. We are yet so similar in history and culture. What is more important is the unity of this nation and I believe we will do our best to see how we will have unity in our party and in Nigeria.”

In attendance at the banquet were; Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi State); the host Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom; Ademola Adeleke (Osun); Kefas Agbu (Taraba); Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) Dauda Lawal (Zamfara); Deputy Governor of Oyo State Bayo Lawal, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, and the Acting National Chairman of the party, Umar Damagun.

Others were; Governorship candidate of the party in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, members of the National Assembly, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and his Bayelsa counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere.

January 31, 2025
PDP governors sent ministerial nominees to Tinubu – Wike

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, has claimed that those fighting him for getting involved with the All Progressives Congress, APC-led government sent nominations to President Bola Tinubu during the ministerial appointments.

Wike said this in response to being accused by some in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Governors of being a mole in the party while working with APC Government.

The former Rivers Governor made the response on Friday when he appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“Who in the PDP that didn’t try to nominate names for President Tinubu’s appointments?

“Yes, they did. Let them come forward and say they did not do it,” he said.

September 14, 2024
PDP Governors reply Wike, describe comment as irresponsible

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have described a recent comment by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, as unacceptable and irresponsible.

The PDP Governors after their meeting has declared support for the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in Rivers State.

The governors also promised to liaise with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to ensure that the governors take his pride of place in the politics of the state.

But worried by the development, the FCT minister had threatened to “to fire in the state” of any governor who interferes in the internal politics of Rivers.

Reacting to the development in Abuja on Tuesday, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, Director General, of the PDP-GF, said the “threats to peaceful coexistence made by Wike to “Put fire” in the PDP controlled States are unbridled, irresponsible and without ambiguity totally unacceptable as it undermines efforts to build and maintain peace, cohesion, collaboration and mutual respect amongst leaders and members of the party.

“It is rather unfortunate that this is coming from someone who was once a member of this highly revered forum as a former governor.”

Governors who insisted on their determination to ensure that Fubara remains the leader of the party in the state said, “We are irrevocably committed to working with the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party, the PDP, in ensuring that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State is conferred with all the privileges he is entitled to as a Governor elected on the platform of our party, both at the state and national levels. ”

They also emphasize that “neither is the position of the Forum personal nor does it by any stretch of the imagination undermine the relevance of any stakeholder in the party. Rather, as loyal party faithful, members of the Forum remain committed to that pristine practice that was intended to guarantee order, eliminate conflicting centres of loyalty epitomised by the situation in Rivers State and guard against distracting the Governor in the prosecution of his mandate. Wike benefitted wholly from that arrangement.

“Our undiluted commitment to the unity of our party is paramount. The PDP has always been a party that values unity and collective progress. The recent actions of the governors, including their support for Governor Fubara, reflect their dedication to these values. It is crucial for all party members, including Wike, to work together towards common goals rather than pursuing personal vendettas.

“The Forum insists that it is incumbent on the National Working Committee of the PDP to invoke both official provisions and unofficial good offices platforms to find an amicable solution to the crisis in its Rivers State chapter. Similarly, if indeed the larger interests of Rivers State is their individual motivation, the warring parties should allow themselves to be guided by a spirit of give and take and eschewing, at all times, the incendiary posturing that inflames passions among their followers.”

September 4, 2024
Electoral Act amendment: PDP Governors present 2 request before NASS

Governors elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the country have presented two requests before the National Assembly (NASS) for the passage of the amended electoral bill into law.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Governors under the PDP Governors’ Forum presented the two requests before the NASS at a crucial meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Monday.

The PDP Governors requested the NASS to either override President Muhammadu Buhari’s veto or delete areas of complaints from the electoral act amendment bill.

While arguing that an early concluded electoral act is vital for credible elections in the country, the PDP Governors expressed regrets in the communique issued after the meeting that President Buhari was unwilling to participate in reviewing the structural problems of tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

The Governors lamented the continued state of insecurity in the country, the persistent and ceaseless flow of Nigerians’ blood on a daily basis in many parts of Nigeria and what they described as the near collapse of the security situation in the country.

The Governors also lamented the state of the Nigerian economy, while highlighting key economic indexes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration against the records of the PDP in government.

Read the full communique issued by the PDP Governors below:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM AT THE END OF THEIR MEETING IN PORT HARCOURT, RIVERS STATE, JANUARY 17, 2022.

The PDP Governors’ Forum held its regular meeting crucial to the sustenance of our Democracy on Monday, 17th January, 2022, at the Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, the first in the new year. The meeting once again reviewed the state of the States, the state of the nation and THE PDP and issued the following Communique:

1. The PDP Governors congratulated the entire PDP family for conducting a smooth and credible National Convention that led to the emergence of the highly acclaimed Senator Dr. Iyorchia Ayu-led National Executive Committee and commended the new PDP NWC for hitting the ground running with respect to repositioning the PDP into a credible vehicle for RESCUING and REBUILDING Nigeria which has been battered by bad economy, insecurity, unemployment and other social ills by the incompetent and inept APC Administration.

2. The PDP Governors requested the National Assembly to quickly conclude deliberations on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill either by overriding Mr President’s veto or deleting areas of complaints. The meeting advised that the option of sustaining Mr President’s veto would lead to a quicker resolution and would deny Mr President the opportunity to once again truncate a reformed Electoral jurisprudence for Nigeria. An early concluded Electoral Act is vital for credible elections.

3. The meeting lamented the continued state of insecurity in the country, the persistent and ceaseless flow of Nigerians’ blood on a daily basis in many parts of Nigeria, the near collapse of the security situation in Nigeria. The strategies to confront terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals is still a major problem of the APC administration.

4. The meeting expressed regrets that Mr President is unwilling, from his recent comments discountenancing the proposals for state policing, to participate in reviewing the structural problems of tackling insecurity in Nigeria and urges Mr President to reconsider his position and consider decentralisation and restructuring of the security architecture as the most viable solution, together with proper arming, funding and training requirements for Security Agencies.

5. The Nigerian Economy has continued to deteriorate and Nigerians have become numb and accustomed to bad economic news as exemplified by the inconsistent and differential exchange rate regime, high interest rates, unsustainable unemployment figures and borrowing spree some of which have not been applied to important projects, and other bad economic indicators. In particular, it is clear that the APC Government is a massive failure when compared with the records of PDP in government. The PDP handed over a $550 billion economy (the largest in Africa), but under APC, Nigeria is the Poverty Capital of the world. In 2015, under PDP, the exchange rate was N198 per Dollar, it is now under APC almost N500 to a Dollar; In 2015, unemployment rate was 7.3% under PDP, it is now 33%, one of the highest in the world under APC; In 2015, the Pump price of Petroleum was N87 per litre, it is now N165 per litre and climbing under APC. Debt Servicing now under APC takes over 98% of the Federal budget. The tales of woe is endless.

6. The PDP Governors noted that the management of our Oil and Gas resources, the administration of Federation Account remittances have remained opaque, confusing and non – transparent. In addition, the transition to NNPC Ltd under the Petroleum Industry Act has not been properly streamlined to ensure that the interests of all the tiers of Government are protected, consistent with the 1999 Constitution.

7. The meeting urged eligible Nigerians of all walks of life, particularly the Youths, to register en masse with INEC to exercise their franchise in the 2023 general elections. It further noted that the next election is a very consequential election that should be used to end the dominance of very youth unfriendly APC Government; a government that had the arrogance to deny Nigerian youths of the use of TWITTER, a business friendly tool for the young, for over a year. The youths should empower themselves to determine who leads them.

8. The PDP Governors congratulated the Chief Host, His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, for the very high standards of hosting and for the great leadership performance he has entrenched in Rivers State.

9. The PDP Governors wished Nigerians and PDP Members a happy new Year.

In attendance are:

Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR- Sokoto State – Chairman

Gov. Udom Emmanuel – Akwa Ibom State – Member

Gov. Sen. Douye Diri – Bayelsa State – Member

Gov. Samuel Ortom -Benue State -Member

Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa – Delta State – Member

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Enugu State – Member

Gov. Nyesom Wike, CON – Rivers State – Member

Gov. Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde – Oyo State – Member

Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -Adamawa State -Member

Gov. Bala Mohammed -Bauchi State – Member

January 17, 2022
PDP govs to meet Thursday over party crisis

Following the leadership crisis rocking their party, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will meet on Thursday in Abuja.

The emergency meeting was summoned by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Sokoto State governor, Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, after consultation with his colleagues, a statement by the director-general of the Forum, Hon. C.I.D Maduabum, said.

Barely two weeks after the governors in conjunction with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party met to resolve the leadership crisis in the party, a fresh crisis erupted following a court injunction suspending the party’s national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, from parading himself as member and chairman.

The situation led to the two deputy national chairmen of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi (South) and Senator Suleiman Nazif (North) laying claims to the party leadership.

This is in spite of a provision in the party’s constitution in section 47 vesting leadership with deputy chairman of the zone where the national chairman comes from when the chairmanship seat is vacant.

However, according to the statement by Maduabum, “Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum , Rt Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR, in consultation with his colleagues have summoned an emergency meeting of the Forum to hold on Thursday 26th August, 2021 at 5pm.

“The meeting will discuss recent developments in the PDP.

“The Governors enjoined all PDP members and stakeholders to exercise patience as efforts are being made to ensure continued stability of the Party in the days ahead.”

August 25, 2021
PDP Governors meet again in Bauchi today

Governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will on Monday meet in Bauchi, to deliberate on unemployment and the state of the Nigerian economy, according to a statement issued on Sunday, in Abuja, by the Director-General (D-G), PDP Governors Forum (PDP-GF), Hon. CID Maduabum.

Maduabum said that PDP governors would, at the meeting, examine and deliberate on the current state of the nation, and the state of their respective States.

He said the health of Nigeria’s democracy, including the Electoral Act Amendment, Constitution alteration bills, pending before the National Assembly, would also feature in discussions at the meeting.

Maduabum said the meeting would continue to interrogate the Federal Government’s response to insecurity that was still pervading the country and proffer workable solutions.

The D-G said that the governors would continue to benchmark and exchange information and ideas on best practices on various aspects of governance in their respective states, which had become major beacons of light, delivering substantial democracy benefits through projects and policies impacting on the lives of Nigerians.

“The Governors will also receive Reports of some of the committees working on various aspects of party repositioning, including the e- Registration programme of the Party.”

Maduabum said that the Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohamed, would be the Chief Host, while the Forum Chairman, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, would preside over the meeting.

July 26, 2021
Buhari’s ‘greatest undoing’ as president are his spokespersons – PDP Governors

State Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party on Thursday said the current crop of presidential spokespersons “do not represent or position” the President in a proper manner.

The Governors Forum, in a statement signed by its Director-General, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, was responding to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Garba Shehu.

Mr Shehu had been responding to a communique put out by the PDP Governor’s Forum on Monday.

According to the Thursday statement, Mr Shehu’s response had been “poorly worded” and was “pedestrian.”

The PDP Governors lambasted Mr Shehu’s views on revenue remittance by the NNPC and the state of Nigeria’s foreign exchange market.

They also tackled him on his position on the ongoing Twitter ban in Nigeria, the administration of mining across the country and the role of local governments in national development.

“There is no doubt that President Buhari’s spokespersons are his greatest undoing as a President,” the PDP Governors said. “They do not represent or position him well.

“The PDP Governors’ Forum Communique in Uyo was patriotic, well thought out and offered solutions to the myriad of problems facing the nation. Mr President and the APC led Federal Government should listen.”

Read the PDP Governors’ statement below:

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSE TO PDP GOVERNORS’ FORUM COMMUNIQUE IS A DISGRACE

Our attention has been drawn to a poorly worded and pedestrian statement issued by Alhaji Garba Shehu on behalf of Mr President in response to the patriotic and weighty issues of state raised by the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) in their Communique after meeting.

2. The statement betrays the abysmal ignorance, lack of appreciation of the issues raised in the PDP Communique.
It is unbelievable that such low quality response could come from Nigeria’s seat of power.

3. He celebrates the non remittance of funds by NNPC to the Federation Account because they should not “break the bank” for PDP Governors. What a pity!

The duty and responsibility of NNPC to pay revenues into the Federation Account is not a matter of discretion by NNPC. It is an imposition of law.

4 The constitutional provisions on Public Revenue is clear. Section 162. (1) of the Constitution says: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of Government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

S.162(1), defines Revenue thus: “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes –
(a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law;
(b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation;
(c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body.”

It is a demonstration of impunity and gross abuse of law for NNPC to continue to disregard the unmistakable mandatory constitutional provisions above. It is even more shocking for the PRESIDENCY as an institution to embody the desecration of our Constitution in such a flippant, brazen and unserious manner as portrayed by the presidential spokesman.

5. NNPC and other Revenue generating agencies of the Federal Government have mandatory obligations to pay into the Federation Account all its revenue after deducting legitimate cost of operations. Fuel subsidy or other profligate expenditures are not part of the cost of production. When NNPC makes its contributions to the Federation Account, the Federal Governments share in the Federation Account can be spent by it in a manner it desires. NNPC cannot spend money belonging to the other tiers of government for them.This is the way the Constitution is designed by its authors. Mr President cannot change the Constitution at his pleasure. Perhaps these matters are too complex for Garba Shehu to comprehend!

6 The States and Local Governments in Nigeria bear the brunt of education, health care, water, food production, infrastructure such as roads, and increasingly the security of lives and property among others. The States and Local Governments share of the Federation Account does not belong to Governors. Certainly not to PDP Governors. The case made by the PDP Governors Communique concerns all the States and Local Governments in Nigeria, not only PDP.

7. Garba Shehu celebrates the fact that Naira is now over N500 to a Dollar in the parallel market. If his statement represents the thinking of the APC Federal Government, then we are in more trouble than we think. The implication of the fall of the Naira for cost of goods and services, including the price of food and basic needs of Nigerians is becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian. It has made even the recent minimum wage increases almost useless. But of course, those ensconced in the Presidential villa do not feel it.

8. On the issue of Mining, it is once again a demonstration of abysmal ignorance not to know at the presidential level that mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Federal Government. The PDP Governors were merely asking for better coordination with State Governments who administer the land under the Land Use Act.

9. Perhaps the most insensitive is on the issue of Twitter suspension. How can a presidential spokesman be so tone deaf. He is unable to see the grave assault of Freedom of speech embodied therein. He doesn’t see the need to motivate our youths. He trivialises serious matters of state. It is very unfortunate.

10. He repeats his assault on the sensibility of Nigerians in the way he addresses the Herder – Farmers conflict. Calling the legitimate request for ramping up ranching as a denial of the right of Nigerians to live and work anywhere in Nigeria, is perhaps the most illogical of the entire response.

11. On Local Government, the President has not initiated a single legislation or amendment of the Constitution to make it a real third tier of Government, if the APC government so desires. He only flexes muscles with State Governments by issuing unconstitutional Orders through Federal Government Agencies.

13. There is no doubt that President Buhari’s spokespersons are his greatest undoing as a President. They do not represent or position him well.

14. The PDP Governors’ Forum Communique in Uyo was patriotic, well thought out and offered solutions to the miriad of problems facing the nation. Mr President and the APC led Federal Government should listen.

Hon C.I.D. Maduabum, LL.M,
Director General
PDP Governors’ Forum

June 18, 2021
Again, presidency comes for PDP governors: They want NNPC to ‘break the bank’ for their political gains

The Presidency has said that the latest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum communiqué is a spectacular demonstration to Nigerians as to why the opposition party and its representatives should not be entrusted with the national leadership of the country at any time soon.

This comment is in reaction to the PDP governors’ take on the operations of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the deteriorating economic and security situation in the country,

Governors elected on the platform of the PDP had on Monday raised an alarm over what they termed the ‘OPAQUE’ manner in which the NNPC carries out its operations.

The governors decried the recent NNPC’s decision not to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account, thereby “starving the States and Local Governments and indeed Nigerians of funds needed for employment, development and general well-being”.

The governors maintained that under the Constitution, the NNPC is duty-bound to make proceeds of sale or business of Petroleum available to the Federation Account which belongs to the three tiers of government, excluding reasonable and verified and verifiable cost of operations.

Commenting on the issue through the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the presidency argued that in bemoaning the decision by the NNPC not to make contributions to the Federation Account, the governors appear to believe NNPC can spend the same money twice: once on the petroleum subsidy – which they all support – and then on their States via the Federation Account.

In a communique on Wednesday, Mr. Shehu noted that the “NNPC is a trustee for the nation – and this means it must manage its finances with prudence and for the long-term to safeguard the financial support it bestows on our country. What the governors are asking of NNPC is to “break the bank” for their own profligate political ends”.

“Similar profligacy and contradiction are in full view with their call to the Central Bank to appreciate the value of the Naira. This would damage exports – including oil revenues on which NNPC depends – as well as damage small businesses and employment. But an appreciated currency would benefit those spending on luxuries from abroad – this, no doubt, being the leading desire of a typical PDP governor.

“When the governors claim a lack of federal institutions’ money pouring into their States’ coffers is an affront to democracy, constitutionalism, and federalism, they fail to mention the ugliest trend against the integrity of Nigeria comes by own hands with their refusal to support the Federal Government’s earnest desire to reinstate the local government as the third tier and finding a lasting solution to farmer-herder conflicts costing the nation lives and livestock.

“This initiative brings rights and support for generations of all ages to bring solutions to challenges that different communities of our country have faced but the PDP governors reject it – denying all Nigerians their constitutional right to live and work in any state of the Federation – preferring to appeal to ethnic division and hatred rather than support the first practical solution offered since independence,” the president’s spokesman stated.

Mr. Shehu also was of the opinion that the governors appealed to each other for more involvement of states in mining and geophysical activities within their states, which does beg the question as to why it has taken them so long.

According to him, such opportunities and states’ powers have been fully available since independence – yet only now do the PDP realise it.

“And, of course, the PDP grieve over the Federal Government’s action over Twitter – for it represents the curtailment of their ability to use the platform to spread fake news and invented stories to the detriment of community and good-neighbourliness between the peoples of Nigeria,” the president’s media aide stressed.

In his summation, Mr. Shehu said the PDP Governors propose no solutions to any of the nation’s challenges in the face of COVID and global economic downturn: “instead, they grasp for more money and mourn their lack of access to social media to spread falsehoods and hate”.

He further opined that their statement is evidence if any were needed, as to why the President and the APC ended the PDP’s one-party rule in 2015, why the ruling party was re-elected by an increased margin in 2019, and why their winning trend is set to continue far into the future.

June 17, 2021
APC lampoons PDP governors over attack on Buhari, justifies president’s borrowings

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday justified borrowings by the Federal Government, explaining that the loans were invested in the development of critical infrastructure across the country.

The ruling party, in its reaction to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ allegation that the huge debt profile could lead to bankruptcy, chided the opposition party for lack of understanding about government’s spending.

APC Caretaker Committee Secretary Senator James Akpanudoedehe said in a statement that the loans were judiciously utilised, instead of ending up in private pockets, reminiscent of when the PDP was in power.

He said the PDP was locked in a crisis of confidence, adding that it has failed to serve as a credible opposition in democracy.

Akpanudoehehe described the PDP’s outcry as a feature of a sinking platform struggling to clutch on any available straw to remain afloat.

He said the main opposition party was rattled by the gale of defections that hit the platform.

Akpanudoehehe said: “The sinking PDP is panicking due to its dwindling fortunes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) registered members hit over 40 million, with PDP members, including governors leaving the party in droves and joining the APC.

“While the PDP continues to clutch on straws as it sinks into political oblivion, the APC-led federal government and states governed by the APC are busy providing critical infrastructure, expanding access to education, providing health facilities and economically empowering citizens.”

Akpanduoehehe accused PDP governors of indulging in frequent weekend jamborees, where they waste scarce resources at a time some of them are owning workers’ salaries and pensions.

He said the case of Benue and Taraba states stands out.

The APC scribe also berated the PDP for its legacy of abandoned projects.

He said: “Perhaps, the PDP is referring to the litany of abandoned projects it left behind all over the country despite spending 16 years in power and receiving unprecedented earnings when crude oil sold for as high as $150 per barrel.

“The President Buhari government from inception took a good, progressive, patriotic and apolitical decision to complete the abandoned projects and Nigerians have been the ultimate beneficiaries.

“In addition, huge legacy projects being executed by the APC-led administation include the Second Niger Bridge which is set to be completed in 2022, the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano dual carriageway, the Abuja-Akwangwa-Lafiya-Makurdi highway which is being reconstructed and dualised.

“The initiation, completion and commissioning of the Lagos-Ibadan twin track railway line is another of such landmark projects delivered by the APC administration, even as more are underway.

“The PDP federal government failed to complete the Abuja-Kaduna railway line, which the President Buhari government completed and commissioned for the benefit of Nigerians.

“PDP needs to be reminded that It was because of its failures that Nigerians rejected it twice, in 2015 and 2019. This loss is obviously still haunting the PDP and has caused disarray within its ranks and created irreconcilable divisions”.

Akpanudoedehe added: “For a party that failed in its 16-year governance and as an opposition party, if the PDP believes that Nigerians are ready to place the administration of the country in its hand, then the PDP is a victim of its folly.

“At this point, PDP’s rudderless leadership should deal with the crisis of confidence it suffers. Our democracy deserves a credible opposition which the PDP has woefully failed to provide. Other parties must now rise to the ocassion and play the crucial role of opposition.

“Of course, the task of clearing the PDP rot is not a walk in the park considering the level of decay our nation sunk into under the watch of the PDP and the current efforts of PDP leaders to slow down our progress as a nation. However, this government, under the capable hands of President Buhari is focused and courageous enough to lead our country to its deserved place.”

June 16, 2021