Governors under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Wednesday in Umuahia, Abia State.
The opposition party governors declared the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) unfit to participate in the 2023 general election, saying that the ruling party has become “uncaring and a menace to Nigerians”.
The Governors held the meeting, ignoring the declaration made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to join the 2023 presidential race.
Those who attended the meeting include; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri – Adamawa State; Udom Emmanuel – Akwa Ibom State; Bala Mohammed – Bauchi State; Sen. Douye Diri – Bayelsa State; Samuel Ortom – Benue State; Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa – Delta State; Godwin Obaseki – Edo State; Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Enugu State; Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde – Oyo State; Nyesom Wike – Rivers State; and Hon Haruna Manu, Deputy Governor – Taraba State.
The meeting noted that life was much better in 2015 under the PDP than today under the APC.
The governors agreed that APC was “uncaring and a menace to Nigerians” and “in the face of these statistics of complete failure in all ramifications and areas, the APC still wants to be on the ballot in 2023”.
“The Forum urges Nigerians to reject the APC, a party run undemocratically by a Committee contrary to the Constitution (S.228) with Mr. President regularly issuing instructions and dictates. It is impossible for a party so disorganized to offer good governance to the people of Nigeria”.
In a nine-point communique presented by the chairman of the Forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, the forum lamented “excruciating hardships and suffering being meted out to Nigerians by a failed APC led Federal Government”, which is enough reason for Nigerians to reject the party.
They also stated that APC is no longer viable as a political party and is “at the point of near collapse”, adding that Nigerians should hinge their hope on “the readiness of the PDP to take over and offer qualitative leadership options to rescue the nation”.
The statement further stated that “Fuel: Official and Black-Market was N87/155 in 2015, it now costs N167/350.
Aviation Fuel/Air Ticket Rate on Domestic Flights was N110 per Litre/N18,000 in 2015, it now hovers around N700 per Litre/N70,000, where available.”
“Indeed, the scarcity of fuel which has resulted in loss of several man hours is a disgrace to Nigeria,” the Governors said, adding that “the collapse of the National Grid (126 times in 7 years – (June 2015 to March 2022) and its consequences of non-availability of power is most unfortunate”.
“Kerosene (NHK) used by the ordinary Nigerian for cooking and power was N180 in 2015, it now sells at ₦450.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12.5kg Cylinder sold for N2,400 in 2015, is now sold at between N8,750 and N10, 000″.
