By Abasi Ita
Governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the umbrella of The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), concluded a two-day meeting in Benin City, hosted by Edo State Governor Monday Okpeholo with clarion call for state policing and urgent drastic economic reforms.
The forum reiterated their commitment to enhancing security through community policing and grassroots intelligence while also pushing for continued investment in economic reforms.
In a communiqué read by the Chairman of the PGF and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, the governors officially welcomed Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno to their ranks.
His decision to join, alongside his supporters, was seen as a reflection of a growing national agreement on the transformative policies of the current administration.
The PGF expressed satisfaction with the improved coordination between federal and state institutions, highlighting the focus on fiscal reform, food security, energy transition, infrastructural modernization, and social sector revitalization.
They pledged ongoing alignment with national objectives, in line with the principles of constitutional federalism.
Acknowledging the effectiveness of macroeconomic stabilization policies such as the fuel subsidy removal, exchange rate unification, and debt rationalization, the governors voiced their support for a strategic shift towards social equity and inclusive prosperity.
While economic indicators show signs of recovery, they emphasized that growth must be further democratized through expanded investments in food security, job creation, poverty eradication, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and social safety nets.
The APC governors reaffirmed the crucial role of sub-national governments as drivers of economic renewal, committing to deepen economic decentralization in line with Section 13 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates all levels of government to promote the welfare of the people.
They welcomed the increase in fiscal transfers to states and the growing investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic outlook, noting that several APC-led states are now attracting significant domestic and foreign direct investments.
On security and national stability, the Forum commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts to counter criminality and safeguard national sovereignty.
They reaffirmed their support for inter-agency coordination, community policing, and grassroots intelligence systems, urging for greater investment in surveillance infrastructure and the welfare of frontline personnel.