Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review Nigeria’s economic policies to address the growing hardship facing the populace, which they attribute to the fiscal decisions of the APC-led federal government.
In a communique issued after a two-day meeting in Jos, Plateau State, which ended on Saturday, the PDP governors expressed deep concern over the economic challenges burdening Nigerians and stressed the need for immediate corrective action. They urged the President to review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies to improve the welfare and well-being of citizens.
The communique, signed by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, further emphasized the forum’s commitment to addressing the party’s internal divisions and ensuring the unity and cohesion of the PDP. The governors vowed to continue working toward reducing hardship through policies aimed at fostering progress and development across the nation.
“The forum empathises with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship foisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led federal government,” the communique stated. “We call on the president to urgently review both macroeconomic and fiscal policies that will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.”
The PDP governors also responded to the perceived crisis within the party following the removal of the former National Chairman, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and the appointment of Acting Chairman, Umar Damagum. The forum reaffirmed its resolve to preserve the party’s unity and stability, noting concerns raised by founding fathers, elders, and members of the party.
In response to the political challenges, the governors advised the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to schedule the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting by the first week of February 2025 to allow for adequate consultations and preparations.
The communique also touched on the controversial results of the recent Edo and Ondo State governorship elections. The PDP governors accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of manipulating the Edo election results in favor of the APC, labeling the poll as a “rape of democracy.” They also raised concerns about alleged vote-buying in Ondo State, claiming that the APC manipulated the outcome there as well.
“We are still examining the documents in the Ondo elections, where the APC manipulated results after openly buying votes,” the communique explained. “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.”
The PDP governors also extended their condolences to the government and people of Plateau State, following the recent fire at Katako market, which destroyed properties worth millions of Naira. They also sympathized with Jigawa State over the recent tanker explosion.
The meeting, held at the Plateau State Government House in Little Rayfield, Jos, was attended by several PDP governors, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba, and Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara. Governors from Delta and Enugu States were represented by their deputies. Members of the PDP’s NWC, Board of Trustees (BoT), federal lawmakers, former governors, and former ministers also participated in the meeting.