The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors have raised alarm over the prevailing hardship in Nigeria, expressing fears that the nation is on a trajectory reminiscent of Venezuela’s struggles. The PDP Governors’ Forum, in a meeting lasting over three hours, attributed the hardship to the country’s economic and security challenges.
The dire situation in Venezuela, characterized by political corruption, food and medicine shortages, business closures, unemployment, and economic mismanagement, serves as a cautionary comparison for the PDP governors.
Chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, emphasized their collaborative efforts with the federal government to address rising living costs. Governor Mohammed acknowledged that economic and monetary policies primarily rest with the federal government but highlighted the governors’ commitment to mitigating the effects of such policies on the people.
Expressing concern over the free fall of the naira and the escalating cost of living, Governor Mohammed stated, “We are almost on the road to Venezuela. We are giving concrete opposition but not insulting anybody. Ultimately the decision squarely rests with Nigerians and other organs in the country to make sure that we do things that will bring succor to all of us.”
The PDP governors reiterated their call for state police, with safeguards in place to prevent abuse or overreach by any tier of government. Additionally, they addressed the crisis in Edo PDP, asserting the party’s commitment to democracy and constructive criticism of the federal government’s policies.
The governors expressed unity and support for Edo State, affirming their backing of the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Acting National Chairman Iliya Damagum. They called for the convening of a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to address recent developments within the party.
In a vote of confidence for the NWC, the governors committed to revitalizing and repositioning the PDP as an effective opposition to the ruling party in Nigeria. The meeting included governors from various states, with a collective pledge to navigate challenges and work towards a brighter future for the party and the nation.
