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Tag: PDP GOVERNORS

  • PDP Governors chide Buhari, APC over ‘unchecked borrowings’, say Nigeria heading for bankruptcy

    PDP Governors chide Buhari, APC over ‘unchecked borrowings’, say Nigeria heading for bankruptcy

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday raised an alarm over the rate at which the All Progressives Congress (APC) is borrowing money to fund projects in the country.

    This formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the meeting of the PDP Governors’ Forum held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    “Money should only be borrowed for productive purposes as Nigeria’s current debt of over N36 trillion is becoming clearly unsustainable relative to our earnings and GDP.

    “We should not saddle incoming generations with an undue debt burden. The borrowing spree of the APC administration if unchecked will certainly lead Nigeria into avoidable bankruptcy,” a communique issued at the end of the meeting read in part.

    The governors decried that the debt profile of Nigeria with over 80 per cent of normal appropriation spent on debt servicing was rising and becoming uncontrollable.

    They stated that all the gains of the PDP government under former President Olusegun Obasanjo when the nation exited its foreign debt obligations had been destroyed.

    The governors accused the present administration of borrowing for frivolous items, stressing that such an action was scandalous.

    They faulted the operational system and methods of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which they claimed was functioning as an independent government-within-a-government.

    “A situation where CBN creates money, decides how much of it to spend, on what to spend it on without any form of controls or supervision is patently subversive of our constitutional order.

    “It has become not just a leviathan, but also a Father Christmas of sorts, dabbling into every sphere and scope of governmental activity, not just as a lender of last resort, but as a full executing agency of government,” the communique read.

    It added, “The meeting observed that the CBN has become such an octopus that it threatens state governments publicly, without decorum, about sanctions on any attempt to question its Modus Operandi. The CBN should take immediate steps to halt the depreciation of the naira.”

  • PDP Governors react to APC’s description of Ibadan Meeting as ‘political jamboree, waste of time’

    PDP Governors react to APC’s description of Ibadan Meeting as ‘political jamboree, waste of time’

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of frustrating efforts to overhaul the country’s security architecture, effect electoral reforms as well as restructuring of the federation.

    The forum, in a statement by its Director General CID Maduabum on Wednesday expressed shock that the APC appears more keen on “needless propaganda at a period of national crisis” than work with other well-meaning individuals and groups in the country to steady the ship of state.

    The opposition governors, who were reacting to comments by the secretary of APC National Caretaker Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, on the outcome of their meeting in Ibadan Monday this week, said Akpanudoedehe’s unguarded utterances made it clear to all that the ruling party didn’t think much of the sufferings of Nigerians as a result of actions and or inactions of the government of the day.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Akpanudoedehe, Caretaker National Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC) Akpanudoedehe had described the Ibadan meeting as “a political jamboree and its outcomes a waste of time, with no substance,” and stated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s efforts in addressing electoral reforms, security concerns and devolution of power were “visible’.

    However, the PDP governors noted that “what is visible is that President Buhari vetoed two bills on electoral reforms passed by the 8th National Assembly.”

    “How has the country’s security architecture been improved by President Buhari other than in the imagination of Sen Akpanudodehe?” the opposition governors queried. “Is he really serious that security has improved under Buhari? What concrete measures has APC government taken to curb herders / farmers clashes other than inciting and ridiculous statements regularly dished out from two presidential aides on behalf of the so called Presidency?”

    “How can a meeting of 15 State Governors that made concrete suggestions on how to improve the almost hopeless Nigerian condition under the APC Government be termed a jamboree?” the forum wondered. “Can a meeting that called for a speedy passage of the Electoral Act, de-escalation of tension in Nigeria, the equipping, welfare, training financing, and stoppage of personal attacks on Nigerian Police Force be termed a jamboree and a waste of time?,” the opposition governors queried

     

  • Insecurity: Devolve more powers to states, PDP Governors tell Buhari

    Insecurity: Devolve more powers to states, PDP Governors tell Buhari

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called for the devolution of powers to states as one of the ways to tackle the disturbing trend of insecurity in the country.

    This formed part of many resolutions reached by the governors on Monday when they met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to further review the state of the nation.

    The governors stressed the need to take action to advance the conversation on what they described as the worsening security situation and collapsing economy of the nation.

    In a communique issued at the end of the deliberation, they asked President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently send an executive bill to the National Assembly.

    The bill, they noted, was to amend the Constitution to devolve more powers to the states with respect to security arrangements culminating in some form of state policing and the general security architecture.

    The governors also asked the President to convene a meeting of the Nigerian Police Council to develop strategies on how to combat the recent attacks on police formations, especially in the southern part of Nigeria.

    According to them, the Police Force remains the appropriate institution to secure Nigeria’s democracy and must not be subjected to personal attacks.

    While noting that the welfare and funding of security agencies should be given priority, the governors backed the adoption of ranching as the most viable solution to the crisis between herders and farmers, the restructuring of the country to devolve more powers and functions to the states, as well as reform of civil institutions to achieve efficiency and equity for all sections of the country.

    Governors at the meeting included Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), and Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

    Others were Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Oluseyi Makinde (Oyo), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi).

    However, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Mahdi Mohd.

    The communique signed by Governor Tambuwal, who is the PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, read in part:

    The meeting enjoins all Nigerians to work together to achieve peace and harmony with one another, devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity, religion and other cleavages.

    To this end, the meeting called on the incompetent and rudderless APC government to take bold and deliberate steps to de-escalate and lower tensions in our country and concentrate on projects and policies that will enhance and promote national unity and cohesion.

    The meeting reiterated our earlier call for the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Electoral Act that will ensure a free and fair election, including provisions for electronic accreditation and electronic transmission of votes.

  • State of the nation: PDP Governors hold fresh meeting today

    State of the nation: PDP Governors hold fresh meeting today

    The PDP Governors’ Forum is scheduled to meet on Monday to review the current state of the nation.

    The Director-General of the forum, Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum, said that the forum would deliberate on issues on national security and the economy.

    Maduabum said in a statement on Sunday in Abuja that the governors elected under the platform of the PDP would meet in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    “The meeting will further review the current state of the nation, especially issues of national security and the economy, and also fine-tune strategies to support PDP as a viable and necessary alternative to the All Progressives Congress administration.”

    Maduabum said that the meeting, expected to be attended by the 15 governors elected under PDP, would be presided over by the Forum Chairman, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, while Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State would be the Chief Host.

  • No need politicising insecurity, Buhari will find lasting solutions – APC tells PDP govs

    No need politicising insecurity, Buhari will find lasting solutions – APC tells PDP govs

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has responded to a communique issued by governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on recent security incidents recorded in some parts of the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the PDP leaders have previously expressed concerns over the worrisome issues of insecurity in the country.

    In a statement signed by the National Secretary of the APC’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the ruling party said it shares the concerns of the PDP governors.

    However, the statement noted, “let no one be in doubt as to the urgency and capacity of the President Muhammadu Buhari government to end the recent security incidents.”

    It said well-meaning Nigerians should avoid politicising the issues or trivialise the complexity of the solutions required.

    “We urge stakeholders and indeed all well-meaning Nigerians to avoid politicising or being simplistic about the security situation,” the statement said. “At a time like this, our duty to our nation as good citizens should outweigh political party colorations.

    “As those who receive constant security briefings, PDP Governors should know that divisive rhetorics can only embolden the criminals who are carrying out these cowardly acts. This is not the time to play to the gallery, but sit down to find real and lasting solutions. The latter is what the President Buhari administration is doing.

    “While high-level investigations are ongoing to fish out sponsors and perpetrators of the security incidents, President Buhari has already given marching orders to our security services to check the security incidents. We pray the investigations should not reveal conspiracies by the opposition to weaken the government in furtherance of their desperate 2023 aspirations.

    “We are however confident that our PDP governors and indeed all stakeholders will cooperate and support ongoing efforts to quickly and permanently end the security incidents.”

  • PDP Governors raise alarm: ‘Nigeria slipping to a failed state under Buhari’s watch’

    PDP Governors raise alarm: ‘Nigeria slipping to a failed state under Buhari’s watch’

    Governors elected on the platform of Nigeria’s major opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have raised the alarm that Nigeria may soon slip into a failed state if the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to standby and watch things go bad.

    The governors also noted that the country is in dire need of leadership at the Federal level to avert an impending disaster.

    This formed part of the resolutions of the governors on Friday when they met in Makurdi, the Benue State capital to review the state of affairs in the country, including the security challenges among others.

    The governors, who described the present administration as one that lacked the capacity to govern, lamented that their fault lines and differences had been stretched to the limit.

    According to them, this has triggered a rise in ethnic and tribal tensions, religious divisions, and other forms of social and political cleavages in the country.

    The leaders also agreed that the security of lives and property of the people were no longer guaranteed – a situation which they blamed on leadership incompetence and mismanagement of the nation’s affairs.

    They acknowledged that governors have a role to play in tackling the nation’s security challenges, but accused the APC of monopolising the country’s coercive authority.

    The governors, among other demands, asked the Federal Government to take advantage of the ongoing constitution amendment process to decentralise the nation’s security architecture and involve the government at the state and local levels.

    They also stressed the need for an urgent devolution of powers and restructuring of the country to bring various groups together, saying Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.

    Governors present at the meeting included Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Nyesom Wike (Rivers).

    Others are Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), and Bello Mattawale (Zamfara), as well as the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Baba Tela.

    Read the communique of the PDP Governors’ Forum issued at the end of the meeting below:

    Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, met in Makurdi, Benue State on 9th April 2021, under the aegis of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, PDP–GF, to review the state of affairs in the country and common developments in their states and issued the following Communique at the end of their meeting;

    The meeting noted and condemned the alarming drift of Nigeria which if allowed to continue, will make Nigeria a failed state under the watch of the All Progressives Congress, APC, government. They expressed deep concern and alarm at the deteriorating relations between various groups in Nigeria. The Governors were deeply worried that indeed, all our fault lines and differences are being stretched to the limit by a government that clearly lacks the capacity to govern. The meeting agreed that this has given rise to ethnic and tribal tensions, religious divisions, and various forms of social and political cleavages. The Governors concluded that Nigeria is in dire need of leadership at the Federal level to avert the looming disaster.

    The meeting was similarly alarmed that the security of lives and property of Nigerians are no longer guaranteed under the present government as a result of leadership incompetence and mismanagement of the nation’s affairs. While noting that Governors have a role to play in the handling of some of the worsening situations, they regret their hands are tied behind their backs as the entire coercive authority in the country is monopolised by the APC federal government. The time has come to take advantage of the ongoing Constitution Amendment process to decentralise the security architecture of Nigeria and involve States and Local Governments.

    Consequently, the Governors reaffirmed their conviction that an urgent devolution of powers and restructuring of the country in a way that brings together various groups and tendencies in the country appears to have become imperative and timely now as Nigeria cannot afford another civil war.

    We call on the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to send a new Revenue Allocation Formular that allocates more resources to States and Local Governments to Mr President for National Assembly’s action. It is a scandal that 21 years after the 1999 Constitution came into being, no new Revenue Formular is in place. Furthermore, the meeting called for a more transparent and accountable running and operation of the NNPC.

    The meeting further condemned the intimidation of sitting Governors by the APC administration using all sorts of weapons like security agencies, unequal access to federal resources, promotion of divisions in the opposition political parties with fake promises and falsehoods. We significantly condemn the double standards that are applied by the APC-led federal government to intimidate PDP controlled states. To this end, we call on Mr President to lift the so-called “No flight Zone” and other intimidating tactics, imposed on Zamfara State as similar measures have not been extended to similar states with security challenges like Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Yobe and others. This is mostly politically motivated to ensure that the Governors move over to APC.

    The meeting noted that the APC has been unable to even have a democratically-elected National Executive Committee as required by the Nigerian Constitution. A Political Party that operates by military fiat with an appointed and unelected Executive Committee at ALL LEVELS from WARD to NATIONAL has no business running the affairs of our country. APC cannot deliver democracy to Nigeria; even to constitute a Board of Trustees has been an impossible task for the party since its inception. It further expressed surprise that the APC is interested in playing politics and jockeying for power in 2023 when they have done an abysmal and terribly poor job of their current questionable mandate.

    The Governors were distressed that Nigeria is now officially the country with the highest unemployment rate in the world at 33% under the disastrous leadership of APC. This is following on the heels of yet another feat of being the country with the second-highest poverty rate in the world. For APC, it is indeed a race to the bottom.

    The meeting received briefings from the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, and Chairman PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin, and assures Nigerians that help is on the way as the PDP is primed to offer effective leadership ONCE AGAIN to Nigeria. It enjoined Nigerians to once more place their trust in the PDP as the only effective vehicle to salvage the country.

    The meeting commended the Governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects, across the country. It is these LEGACY PROJECTS being undertaken in many PDP-governed states that will be presented to Nigerians as our scorecard at the appropriate time.

    The meeting thanked the Host, His Excellency, Governor Samuel Ortom for hosting the first meeting of the PDP Governors in recent times outside Abuja and for holding the Party together not only in Benue State but in the entire North Central Zone.

    In attendance are:

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

    Gov. Dr Okezie Ikpeazu – Abia State – Vice-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. Arc Darius Dickson Ishaku -Taraba State- Member

    Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -Adamawa State -Member

    Gov. Godwin Obaseki – Edo State -Member

    Gov. Bello Mattawale Maradun -Zamfara State -Member

    Deputy Governor Sen. Baba Tela – Bauchi State – Member

  • PDP Governors shun politics, declare readiness to support FG fight against insecurity

    PDP Governors shun politics, declare readiness to support FG fight against insecurity

    The People’s Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has pledged to support the Federal Government to address insecurity and restore peace in troubled areas of the country.

    The Chairman of the Forum and Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, said this while briefing newsmen at the end of the forum’s first physical meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

    Tambuwal said that the PDP governors agreed to support the federal government initiatives in ensuring that whatever would re-establish peace in Nigeria, be it discussion, negotiations or kinetic approach.

    This is a very productive meeting that review the situation of the country, the security challenges in the country.

    “As governors of the PDP, we have agreed and resolved to continue to work with the federal government with the sole aim of reestablishing peace in troubled areas of the federation.

    “We must not play politics with security and we must all work together to ensure that we bring back peace in our land.

    “So we have agreed to continue to work with the federal government in that regard.”

    Tambuwal said that the forum however appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to continue to support state governments in the discharge of their mandates.

    “We are appealing to Mr President to reconsider certain measures by bringing more succour and relief to the people of Nigeria.

    “He should support state governments in the discharge of their mandate, by making available resources to the States.

    “This is important so that we can execute our mandate and ensure that we engender good governance and good condition of living in our respective states throughout the country.”

    On PDP, Tambuwal commended the National Working Committee (NWC) initiative for constituting the National Reconciliation Committee to reconcile aggrieved members of the party across the country.

    “We have received interim report from that committee. They are doing very well and we are encouraging them to continue in that regard.

    “The governor’s forum is going to back their efforts strongly so that we can possibly bring back those members of our party who have left out of anger and certain situations.”

    Tambuwal also said that no member of the forum was contemplating of leaving PDP for another party.

    “As you can see, most if not all of the governors of the PDP attended this meeting.

    “This a very clear statement that no governor of PDP is contemplating leaving the party for any other party.

    “We are brothers and we have committed ourselves to the party and to ensure that we continue to deliver on our mandate to the people of our respective states.”

    Tambuwal said that the governors also agreed to work together with the NWC of the party to continue with what they started.

    On e-registration of members of the party, Tambuwal said the governors appealed to the NWC to immediately set up machinery in motion to actualise it.

    He also disclosed that the forum set up three committees on finance, legal matters and legislative interface.

    The committee on finance is being led by the forum’s Deputy Chairman and Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River; legislative matters by the governor of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, and that of legal matters, led by Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers.

    On the protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress on alleged plans to move minimum wage from executive to concurrent list, Tambuwal described the accusation by the NLC as misplaced.

    He said that no governor advocated for that.

    Former Senate President and Chairman, PDP National Reconciliation Committee, Sen. Bukola Saraki, speaking to journalists after the meeting, said the committee briefed the governors on its efforts to reunite the party.

    “We briefed them on efforts we have made so far, what we have been able to achieve, our strategy, and how we are going to work together,” he said.

    He said that the committee efforts was already yielding positive results.

    “We had stakeholders that were not ready working together. Now they’re working together, they are meeting.

    “We have states where we have differences. People now are coming together.”

    Also in attendance were governors of Abia, Delta, Oyo, Edo, Enugu, Bayelsa, Benue, Zamfara states and deputy governor of Adamawa.

  • Edo poll: Obaseki leads PDP governors on ‘thank you’ visit to Oba of Benin [Photos]

    Edo poll: Obaseki leads PDP governors on ‘thank you’ visit to Oba of Benin [Photos]

    Sequel to his landslide victory in the recently concluded Edo governorship election, Governor Godwin Obaseki on Tuesday led four other PDP governors on a thank you visit to the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty Omo N’ Oba N’ Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II.

    In his entourage were Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Seyi Makinde, Oyo, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa.

    Chieftains of the party including the PDP Vice National Chairman, S/South, Chief Dan Orbih, and the Edo State party Chairman , Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, also accompanied Obaseki to salute the king.

    Obaseki speaks at the palace event

    Obaseki expressed his profound appreciation to Oba Ewaure II for the warm reception and assured him that his administration will serve the interest of Edo people, who gave him the mandate for a second term as governor.

    Wike gives a vote of thanks, while Obaseki, Tambuwal, Fintiri and Seyi Makinde look on

    Obaseki, 2nd left, Tambuwal, Wike, Fintiri at the meeting with Oba Ewuare II

  • PDP Governors respond to Yahaya Bello’s claim of mass defection to APC

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governors’ Forum, on Saturday debunked the claims made by Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State.

    Yahaya Bello, in an interview on a television program on Friday night, said 10 governors elected under the platform of the PDP were set to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Mr. C.I.D. Maduabum, in a statement issued in Abuja, however, said there was no attraction whatsoever for any PDP member, let alone a governor, to defect to the APC.

    Maduabum described the claim by Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State as unfounded.

    He said that Bello’s statement did not merit any response, but for the fact that it might demoralize some PDP members and Nigerians who were not aware of the facts.

    Maduabum said it was obvious that the claim was a diversionary tactic to shore up the ruling party’s loss of yet another state governor, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, to the PDP.

    “The PDP Governors, under the leadership of Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, are very focused on delivering good governance and the benefits of democracy to their respective states and working tirelessly to strengthen and reposition the party.

    “There is no attraction whatsoever for any PDP member, not to talk of a PDP governor to join the APC.”
    Maduabum advised Bello to concentrate on providing good governance to the people of Kogi State.

  • Wike, six PDP governors meet behind closed doors in Port Harcourt

    Wike, six PDP governors meet behind closed doors in Port Harcourt

    Six Peoples Democratic Party governors on Friday night met with the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The meeting had in attendance: Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri; Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and Zamfara State Governor, Mohammed Mattawale.

    The governors arrived the Rivers State Government House at about 6pm and proceeded to the official residence of Governor Wike where they held a closed-door meeting with the Rivers State Governor.

    A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu in the early hours of Saturday, did not disclose the details of the meeting.