Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged their total support for their Rivers State counterpart, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, promising to stand by him in the lingering political crisis in the state.
They made the pledge at the end of a crucial meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, saying they would do everything possible to ensure the resolution of the political impasse.
They also advised those fanning the embers of conflict and crisis with the aim of distracting Fubara and destabilizing his administration to desist, and allow him deliver good governance to the people.
Reading their communiqué at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said "The Forum notes the crises in the Rivers State Chapter of the party and commits to ensuring peace.
"The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises."
The Governors described as lackluster the approach adopted by All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government in addressing the growing inflation, worsening corruption and falling standard of living in the face of excruciating economic hardship in the country.
They therefore, tasked the Federal Government to be more pragmatic with tenable policies, actions and programmes that can rescue the economy from the woods, and set it on the path that can provide relief to Nigerians.
"The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.
"The Forum regrets that the 16 years of tremendous development under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions, higher standard of living for every Nigerian have been eroding during the last span of the lackluster APC- led Federal Government.
"The Forum identified with Nigeria populace in this troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) influx resulting in high naira value and great equality of human life as recorded.
"In that regard, the meeting commended the governors of PDP controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, healthcare, women and youths empowerment initiatives and the timely delivering of developmental projects across the country.
While addressing concerns of Nigerians on the protracted national minimum wage negotiations, he said, "The minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted. In the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of majority of our people, the Forum resolves: That labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified, and therefore, 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 local government, sub-national and Federal Government.
"While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately, the collapse of the economy."
Governor Bala also stated that the PDP Governors believe in the efficacy of the local government system, which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people as provided in the Constitution.
It is the reason, he said, the forum will continue to support the autonomy of the local governments as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On the off season elections in Edo and Ondo, the forum, "Admonishes all the parties to the elections to ensure that campaigns are issues-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
"Urges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and unimpeachable elections as any act of bias will be totally resisted.
"Urges Mr. President to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.
