…demands speedy trial of detained protesters
…bemoans the role of judiciary in electoral process
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s handling of revenue allocation and condemned the crackdown on lawful protests.
At their 4th meeting of the year, held at the Government House in Jalingo, Taraba State, on Friday, August 23, 2024, the governors stated, “Rather than undertake a review of macro-economic and social policies with a view to giving them a human face, the Federal Government has resorted to blackmail.”
The Forum commended their colleagues for handling the recent #EndBadGovernance protests with maturity, preventing hoodlums from hijacking the protests, and noted, “The Forum commiserates with the families of those innocent souls that were lost and calls on the Federal Government to ensure fair and speedy trial of those who were arrested.”
They also criticized the Federal Government’s response to the protests, urging President to show statesmanship by restraining his officials from blame games, which they said made state governments look bad.
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Regarding the political situation in Rivers State, the governors restated their support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to revisit the congress to correct anomalies.
The governors condemned alleged plans by the President to compromise the election in favour of his party, as well as the systematic intimidation of PDP supporters by the Nigeria Police, saying, “We call on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure a free and fair election.”
Finally, the governors expressed concern about the Federal Government’s handling of revenue allocation, urging transparency and adherence to extant laws, and called for the separation of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation and that of the Accountant General of the Federal Government.