PDP Governors’ Forum laments The Nation’s Growing Economic Difficulties.

The Governors’ Forum of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed concern about rising living costs and general economic difficulties in the country.

On Wednesday, the forum convened at Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s country home in Umuobiakwa, Abia’s Obingwa Local Government Area.

The governors declared the party’s readiness to wrestle power from the ruling All Progressives Congress in 2023 in a communique issued at the end of the meeting.

Nigerians are facing economic challenges in various aspects of life, according to the meeting, which was attended by 13 governors from across the federation.

If voted into power, the forum promised that the PDP would provide quality leadership to address the challenges.

The astronomical rise in diesel, premium motor spirit (petrol), and kerosene prices was described as a serious national issue.

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It also decried the increase in the price of aviation fuel to N700 per litre, which resulted in a significant increase in flight tickets.

The governors also lamented the National Grid’s 126 times failure in seven years, as well as the country’s erratic power supply.

According to the communique, basic food prices have risen beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians.

“Basic foods like rice, beans, and cassava flakes are now slipping out of the hands of ordinary Nigerians,” the report continued.

It expressed regret that the country’s unemployment rate, at over 33%, remained among the highest in the world, and that the poverty rate, at 42.8 percent, remained one of the highest in the world.

It also bemoaned the continued rise in the parallel market exchange rate, which is currently at N580 per dollar.

It expressed displeasure with the country’s rising domestic and external debt levels under the current administration.

The forum also expressed concern about the country’s declining food production, stating, “The major threat to Nigeria’s agricultural sector and food security is insecurity.”

“Around 70,000 hectares of arable farmland have been abandoned in the affected states and local government areas in the North-East,” says the report.

“The pattern is consistent across the country, contributing to food insecurity.”

As a result, it advised the federal government to “work with states to bring security to the people.”

It expressed concern about reports and claims of cases of crude oil theft ranging from 80% to 95%.

It demanded that the federal government set up a mechanism to halt the trend and bring perpetrators to justice.

Despite oil selling for more than $110 per barrel on the international market, the governors claimed that the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had failed to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account.

“Because it is merely a trustee of the funds for the three tiers of government, it is patently unconstitutional for NNPC to determine when and what to pay to the Federation Account.”

“We once again demand an investigation and audit of the amount of fuel consumed by Nigerians,” they said.

They also advocated for the use of technology at filling stations to determine the volume of local fuel consumption in a transparent manner.

“Any further attempt by NNPC to ascribe unsubstantiated subsidy claims to other tiers of government will be met with fierce opposition,” they added.

They also claimed that revenue from 18 Federation Revenue Agencies was not being remitted to the federation account.

Central Bank of Nigeria, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Liquefied National Gas, and Nigeria Communication Commission are among the agencies named.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Ports Authority, and the Security and Exchange Commission are among the others.

They claimed that the NNPC was deducting N8.33 billion per month for the rehabilitation of the country’s refineries, despite the fact that none of the facilities were operational.

They claimed that the NNPC paid over N1 trillion in petroleum subsidies in 2021 and N220 billion in March.

They claimed the company’s announcement in April that it would deduct N328 billion was unacceptable.

They suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari resign as Minister of Petroleum. Separating the two portfolios has become necessary, according to them, for effective accounting and oversight.

The forum discussed the party’s approved timetable and timelines for congresses and conventions, and urged the party’s leadership and members to stay focused and united in order for the PDP to win power in 2023.

Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) – Chairman, Ikpeazu (Abia) – Vice Chairman, Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa) and Udom Emmanuel attended the meeting (Akwa Ibom).

Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), and Godwin Obaseki (Delta) were among the others (Edo).

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu State), Oluseyi Makinde (Oyo), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), and Deputy Governor Haruna Manu completed the list (Taraba).