PDP Governors Pledge To Rescue Nigeria From Worsening Social And Political Tensions

State governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform have pledged to provide the needed platform for the party to return to power at the national level in 2023. COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MEETING OF THE PDP GOVERNORS' FORUM HELD ON 14TH JUNE 2021, AT UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE. The PDP Governors’ Forum held a meeting on 14th June 2021 at Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where it once again reviewed its state. The meeting deliberated in particular on the country's country's deteriorating economic and security situation, worsening social and political tensions, and issuing the following Communique. The meeting called for urgent steps to reverse these ugly trends in our practice of democracy, constitutionalism and Federalism. The PDP Governors frowned at Nigria'sNigeria's rising seemingly uncontrollable debt profile, with over 80% of normal Appropriation spent on debt servicing. All the gains of the PDP Government under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, where Nigeria exited its foreign debt obligations, has been destroyed. Borrowing for frivolous items such as funding the Nigerian Television Authority is scandalous. Money should only be borrowed for productive purposes as Nigeria's current debt of over N36 Trillion Naira is becoming clearly unsustainable relative to our earnings and GDP. We should not saddle incoming generations with the undue debt burden. If unchecked, the borrowing spree of the APC administration will certainly lead Nigeria into avoidable bankruptcy. The Forum reiterated its call, which seems to have fallen on deaf ears, for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to URGENTLY SEND the revised Revenue Allocation Formular to Mr President for onward transmission to the National Assembly for enactment, such that more resources are made available to States and Local Governments where ordinary Nigerians reside. Furthermore, it called on the Chairman and Members of the Commission to RESIGN or be relieved of their duties if they cannot discharge this sacred constitutional duty entrusted by the Nigerian people. The present constitutional amendment process should make the Commission more independent and accountable to all stakeholders. The meeting expressed support for the implementation of judicial and legislative autonomy in the Federation and States, in conformity with the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The meeting called for more involvement of States in mining and geophysical activities within their States. This is necessary to curtail harm to the environment and further diversify the Nigerian economy and complement Oil as a foreign exchange earner for Nigeria. The PDP Governors further reviewed the emerging threats to our democracy, constitutionalism and the rule of law and cautioned the Federal Government to exercise power with restraint. The need for law and order is paramount to secure our nation, but mindless killings of innocent civilians should be avoided and condemned. In the same vein, the meeting reiterated its earlier revulsion at any attack on security personnel and their property anywhere in the country as a criminal and egregious act for which perpetrators should be brought to book. The meeting examined the suspension of TWITTER from operating in Nigeria and condemned the personalised reasons given for the action. The mere ego of Mr President is not enough for such a drastic action that deprives millions of Nigerians of such an affordable means of expression and communication. We hope that this is not a harbinger or early warning signs of descent into dictatorship. The meeting noted that social media regulation can only be done within the existing laws on the subject and should not be used as an attempt to punish or gag Nigerians from enjoying constitutionally guaranteed rights. Nigerian youths do not have adequate access to employment, and many Nigerians rely on TWI, and many livelihood, businesses, and self-employment. This will fu, further worsen Nigeria's 33% unemployment rate, which is the highest in the world, improve Nigeria's ranking as the country with the second-highest poverty rate in the entire world, all of which happened under APC's unfortunate stewardship. In attendance are: Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR - Sokoto State - Chairman Gov. 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. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -Adamawa State -Member Gov. Godwin Obaseki - Edo State -Member Gov. Bala Mohammed -Bauchi State - Member Gov. Arc Darius Ishaku -Taraba State -Member Deputy Gov. Mahdi Mohd -Zamfara State -Deputy Governor