Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday decried the delay in new minimum wage negotiations.
They, however, urged the federal government and the leadership of Organised Labour to ensure that any agreement reached must be backed up by stakeholders’ ability to pay.
The governors also backed the recent Supreme Court judgement granting financial autonomy to the local government system and pledged continuous support to the third tier of government.
At a meeting of the Forum held at the Enugu State Government House, the chairman of the Forum and governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said the Forum was in consultation with the National Working Committee (NWC) and various organs of the party to resolve issues bedevilling the party and the country.
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In a communique issued at the end of a four-hour meeting of the Forum, the governors called on the federal government and Organised Labour to expedite action on negotiations on the new minimum wage in view of the unprecedented hardship faced by Nigerians caused by the dismal performance of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.
The forum in the communique read by Governor Bala Mohammed said: “The minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of the people.
“The governors, therefore, resolved that Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and, therefore, commands the support of this Forum.
“While the Forum fully supports Labour’s demand, the agreement must consider the ability of the sub-nationals, the federal government, and the third tier of government to pay.
“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint against actions that could lead to the breakdown of law and order and ultimately the collapse of the economy.”
On the Supreme Court ruling on local government allocations, the PDP governors expressed faith in the local government system as the closest tier of government to the people.
They pledged to continue supporting the autonomy of the local governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the PDP- led federal government during which the country witnessed single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living by every Nigerian has been eroded under the lifespan of the lacklustre APC- led federal government.
“The Forum identifies with the Nigerian public in these troubling times and promises to bring back the good old days of the low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, and steady Foreign Direct Investment inflows, resulting in high Naira value and greater quality of human lives as recorded.
“The Forum also notes, with dismay and grave concern, the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led federal government.”
“The Forum commended the governors of the PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.”
In the upcoming congresses of the party, the forum called for the adoption of internal pro-democracy measures that must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair, and in strict compliance with the party’s constitution.
On the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo states, the Forum admonished all political parties involved to ensure that all campaigns are issued-based, violence- free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The Forum also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias would be strongly resisted.
The PDP governors also urge President Bola Tinubu to show leadership and desist from making any political statement that depicts interference in the electoral process.
On the crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the party, the Forum expressed commitment to supporting Governor Siminalaye Fubara and also said that the issue could be resolved through the political solution.
The Forum equally urged Nigerians to eschew any form of anarchy as “we all march towards returning the PDP to power in 2027”.
The Forum thanked the host and governor of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah, for hosting the meeting successfully and for keeping the party together not only in Enugu but in the entire South East geopolitical zone.
In attendance were the 12 state governors of the PDP: Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umoh Eno (Akwa-Ibom), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), the host Governor, Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Osun State Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.
The party’s chairman, its BOT, the former chairman of former PDP governors, the chairman of the Senate Caucus, the chairman of the former Ministers’ Forum, and the chairman of the party’s 36 state chapters were also in attendance.
