The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum convened its 4th meeting of 2024 on Friday, August 23rd, in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.
The meeting, which was hosted by the Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, brought together PDP state governors to deliberate on key intra-party and governance matters affecting their respective states, as well as issues of national importance.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed relief at the end of the #EndBadGovernance protests that had threatened to escalate into a major national crisis. The governors commended their counterparts, especially those from PDP-controlled states, for their maturity in handling the situation, restraining hoodlums and unscrupulous elements from hijacking the protests.
The forum reiterated that peaceful protests are the inalienable rights of citizens through which they can voice their genuine grievances. It commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the protests and called on the Federal Government to ensure fair and speedy trial of those arrested.
Addressing the political impasse in Rivers State, the PDP Governors’ Forum restated its support for the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and pledged to engage the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to revisit the congress in the state, with a view to correcting the anomaly and allowing the governor to assume his rightful leadership position.
Regarding the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, the forum condemned the pronouncements by the President to compromise the election in favor of the ruling party, as well as the systematic intimidation of PDP supporters by the Nigeria Police. The forum called on the Inspector General of Police to call his men to order.
The communiqué also highlighted the forum’s concerns over the Federal Government’s refusal to distinguish between the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) revenue and revenue accruing to the Federation, which must be allocated in accordance with extant laws. The forum called for the separation of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and that of the Accountant General of the FGN.
The Forum however commended the host, the Taraba State Government, for the hospitality accorded to its members and the secretariat, as well as the state’s progress in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, in line with the governing philosophy of the PDP
