PDP Govs support Fubara, opt for political solution to Rivers crisis
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has thrown its support behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and has chosen a political solution to address the ongoing crisis in the state.
With a strong desire to regain power at the national level in 2027, the Governors also voiced their endorsement for the demand by organised labor for an increased minimum wage.
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Speaking in Enugu on Wednesday after their meeting, Governor Bala Mohammed, the Forum’s chairman, announced, “The Forum has taken note of the situation in Rivers State and stands firmly behind the Governor. We have decided that resolving this issue through a political solution is necessary, along with other appropriate measures. All party structures are committed to resolving the matter amicably and with minimal tension.”
“We lament devastation to our economy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led Federal Government
“On minimum wage: “The minimum wage negotiation is becoming unduly protracted in the face of the unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of the people. The Form resolves as follows; the labour demands for salary raise is eminently justified and commands the total support of the Forum.
“While the Forum fully supports labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the subnational, the Federal government and the third tier of government.
“All negotiations are ongoing. We appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately the collapse of the economy.
On the Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Allocation, “The forum believes in the efficiency of the local government system which ensures that governance is closer to the people as provided in the constitution. The forum will continue to support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Forum regrets that the 16 years of development under the PDP led government during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions, high standards of living for every Nigerian have been eroded during the regime of the APC led government.
“The forum identified with the Nigerian populace in this troubling times and we promise to bring back the good old days, low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, stronger Naira value. We commend the governors of PDP controlled states for their innovative approach to governance in many fields, health, education, women, children and youth initiative and timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.
“The forum calls on all Nigerians to avoid any anarchy as we all march to the return of PDP to power in 2027.
“We thank the host the executive governor of Enugu State, HE Governor Peter Mba for hosting the meeting of the PDP Governors and for holding the party together not only in Enugu State but in the entire South East as well as all his achievements as evident in the landmark projects and interventions that he has done within a very short time,” he added.
The attendance include 12 governors of the PDP, the chairman of the party, the chairman of the BoT, chairman of former PDP governors, chairman of the senate caucus, chairman of former ministers, chairman of the forum of all the 36 states of the federation, etcetera.
Proofreading by Fa’izatu Aliyu Doma, Journalist at Neptune Prime.
