PDP govs back minimum wage increase, slam Tinubu govt for economic woes

The Peoples Democratic Party  Governors’ Forum has expressed strong concerns over the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government’s mismanagement of the economy.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, the 13 governors of the main opposition party condemned the government’s economic policies, which they believe have led to widespread hardship among Nigerians.

Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, presented the communiqué after the four-hour meeting.

The governors declared their support for the Nigeria Labour Congress in its advocacy for a new minimum wage, emphasising the need for a more equitable and just economic framework that benefits all Nigerians.

Mohammed stated that after thorough discussions and consultations, the PDP Governors’ Forum expressed “profound dismay and grave concern” over the mismanagement of the economy by the APC-led Federal Government.

The governors urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take immediate action to restore the nation’s former glory.

They lamented the significant progress made during the 16 years of PDP leadership – including single-digit inflation, establishment of anti-corruption institutions, and improved standards of living – had been eroded under the APC-led government.

“The forum identified with the struggles of the Nigerian people and pledged to revive the past achievements, characterized by low inflation, affordable food, fuel, and transportation, steady foreign direct investment, a strong naira value, and enhanced quality of life.

”The meeting commended PDP-controlled state governors for their innovative governance approaches, particularly in infrastructure development, education, healthcare, women and youth initiatives, and timely delivery of developmental projects across the country,” the communique read.

The governors reiterated their commitment to good governance and promised to work tirelessly to address the current economic challenges and restore the nation’s prosperity.

They emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in economic management and a return to the policies and programs that had previously yielded positive results.

“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027,” it said.

On the off-season elections, in Edo and Ondo states, the forum called on President Tinubu to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggestive of political interference in the entire process.

The governors admonished all the parties to the elections to ensure that campaigns are issues-based devoid of violence and in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

On the upcoming congresses of the party, the governor insisted that congresses leading to the election of party leaders, at the various tiers, must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair, and in strict compliance with the constitution of the party.

The forum reminded party members that the founding fathers of the party adopted internal democracy as the fundamental principle upon which PDP was built.

On the minimum wage, the governors stated that the minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted, considering the unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the majority of Nigerian people.

On the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy, the governors expressed their support, adding that the efficacy of the local government system will ensure that governance is brought closer to the people as provided for in the constitution.

However, the forum urged that implementation of the court decision “must be done in a manner that does not create a trust deficit between the federal governments and sub-national governments while also ensuring that the system does not suffer.”

On the crisis in the Rivers State Chapter of the party, the forum expressed commitment to ensure that peace prevail.