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The Governors’ Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep concern over the economic strain on Nigerians, which it links to the policy framework adopted by the All Progressives Congress-led administration.
In its appeal to President Bola Tinubu, the forum urged a thorough review of the nation’s macroeconomic and fiscal policies, stressing that such measures are essential to curtail the escalating hardship within the country.
In their view, a thorough reassessment of the current policy framework would significantly enhance the welfare and well-being of Nigerians. The governors argued that implementing these changes is a crucial step toward alleviating the hardships faced by millions across the country.
As outlined by the governors, adjusting the current policy framework is a necessary step toward alleviating the struggles of Nigerians and improving their well-being. This recommendation emerged as one of several important conclusions reached during their meeting in Jos, Plateau State.
“The forum empathize with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship hoisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government,” the chairman of the group who is also the Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed said after the meeting.
“The forum calls on the president to urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.”
They highlighted that a comprehensive overhaul of these policies would directly address the pressing needs of the populace, ensuring their welfare is placed at the forefront of governance.
“The forum wishes to pledge that all PDP governors will continue to aggressively pursue policies and programmes that will reduce the hardship and ensure progress and development,” the governor said.
At the @OfficialPDPNig Governors’ Forum in Jos, we renewed our vow to remain a party that listens, cares, and acts in the interest of Nigerians. Our dialogue centered on unity, tackling economic hardships, and delivering progress rooted in fairness and democracy. We are committed to solutions that will uplift the lives of our people and drive national growth. pic.twitter.com/DJuiDMOtCL
— Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (@GovernorAUF) November 23, 2024
The just concluded governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states also attracted the attention of the forum which was described as a rape of democracy. They called on the judiciary to remain steadfast in election petition matters while the National Assembly should strengthen the electoral laws.
“The forum notes with concern the rape of democracy in the Edo governorship elections. It is clear to everyone with a conscience that INEC manipulated results in favour of the APC candidate, when in fact, the majority of the lawful votes were won by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo,” he said.
“Meanwhile, we are still examining the documents on the Ondo elections where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes.
Read also: PDP Crisis Deepens As Party Postpones NEC Meeting Again
“The forum calls on the judiciary to save Nigerian democracy and the National Assembly to look into our electoral laws to make it difficult for institutional sabotage of the will of the people.”
Away from national issues, the governors also advocated that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should call for a NEC meeting by the first week of February 2025.
This, the PDP governors said, is to allow for elaborate consultations with critical stakeholders of the party towards addressing the lingering leadership crisis in the main opposition ruling party.
Six governors from Bauchi, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, Oyo, and the host Plateau attended the one-day meeting. Delta and Enugu states sent their deputy governors while the governors of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, and Osun were absent.
