The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has raised serious concerns about the increasing hardships faced by Nigerians, attributing these challenges to the policies of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government. The forum’s remarks followed a significant meeting in Enugu where they discussed national issues at length.
In their statement, the PDP Governors criticized the prolonged negotiations over a new minimum wage. Senator Bala Mohammed, the Forum’s Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, said, “The minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of the people. Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and commands the support of this forum.”
The Governors urged the Federal Government and labor organizations to speed up the negotiation process while considering the financial capabilities of various levels of government. They also called for restraint from actions that could disrupt law and order or lead to economic collapse.
Supporting the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, the Forum stated, “We express faith in the local government system as the closest tier of government to the people and pledge to uphold its autonomy.”
The PDP Governors lamented the decline in Nigeria’s economic and social standards under the APC-led administration, contrasting it with what they described as the significant development during the PDP’s 16 years in power. They noted that during the PDP’s tenure, the country enjoyed single-digit inflation, the establishment of anti-corruption institutions, and higher living standards.
The Governors also voiced their support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid the ongoing political crisis in the state, committing to finding political solutions to ensure unity within the party.
Emphasizing the need for inclusive, transparent, and fair internal democratic processes, the Forum urged all political parties involved in the upcoming elections in Edo and Ondo states to conduct issue-based and violence-free campaigns. They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure fair and transparent elections and advised President Bola Tinubu to avoid making statements that could interfere with the electoral process.
Twelve PDP Governors attended the meeting: Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umoh Eno (Akwa-Ibom), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi. Other notable attendees included the party’s Chairman, its Board of Trustees, former Chairman of the PDP Governors, the Chairman of the Senate Caucus, the Chairman of the former Ministers’ Forum, and the Chairmen of the 36 state chapters of the party.
