PDP Governors Blast APC For Destroying Nigeria’s Economy, All Institutions Built For 16 Years

Governors elected on the People’s Democratic Party (PPD) platform have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of crippling the country’s economy and inflicting untold hardship on Nigerian citizens.

The governors, under the umbrella body of the PDP Governors, expressed dismay and grave concern over what they described as “unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC-led federal government.”

They frowned at the lengthy delay in minimum wage negotiations.

Following a meeting hosted by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, the governors welcomed the autonomy granted to Local Government Councils and expressed their belief in the effectiveness of the Local Government system, which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people, as enshrined in the constitution.

The Forum also condemned the ruling APC for destroying good institutions and developments established by the party while it was in power at the federal level.

The Forum expressed strong support for Rivers State’s Governor in his political battle and stated that a political solution to bring peace to the state would be implemented.

A communique from the meeting read by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, stated:
“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues of critical national importance. The unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the APC-led federal government’s poor performance, minimum wage negotiations, and the ongoing issue of intergovernmental relations, particularly local government autonomy and funding.

The party’s national Working Committee was formed after extensive discussion and consultations with all of the party’s organs, as shown here.
“In the spirit of our great party’s founding fathers, who adopted internal democracy as a fundamental principle upon which our party was built, the congresses leading up to the election of party leaders at the various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair, and in accordance with our party’s constitution. To ensure the successful conduct of congresses in the 36 states and the federal capital territory.”

“In the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo, the Forum urges all parties to ensure that campaigns are issue-based, violence-free, and strictly adhere to the provisions of the electoral act.” The forum urges the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that ensures transparent, fair, and peaceful elections, as any form of bias will be resisted. The forum urges the president to demonstrate true democratic leadership by refraining from making any statements that suggest political interference in the entire process.

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

“Minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of unprecedented hardship and impoverishment among the people. The forum resolves the following: The Labour Party’s demand for a significant salary increase is entirely justified, and as a result, the forum unanimously supports it. While the forum supports Labour’s demand, any agreement must consider the ability of subnationals, the federal government, and the third tier of government to pay.

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

“The forum believes in the effectiveness of the local government system, which brings governance closer to the people, as outlined in the constitution. The forum will also support local government autonomy, as guaranteed by the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s constitution.
“The forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development of the PDP-led federal government, during which the country experienced single-digit inflation, the establishment of existing anti-corruption institutions, and a higher standard of living for the majority of Nigerians, have been eroded during the tenure of the lacklustre APC-led federal government.”The forum sympathises with the Nigerian people during these difficult times and promises to restore the good old days of low inflation rates, affordable food, fuel, and transportation, consistent FDI inflows resulting in a high Naira value and high quality of human life.

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

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

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

Earlier, the Forum’s chairman 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 party organs.” This meeting is unique and auspicious because we are here to commemorate our party’s history. As a party, we have led the country. We established all of the structures prior to the start of the APC administration.”

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, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the host governor, Peter Mbah, were among those in attendance.

Senator Adolphus Wabara, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, and the party’s Acting National Chairman, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, were also present, as were Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, and Dr Babangida Aliyu, former governor of Niger State.