PDP GOVERNORS URGE PRESIDENT BUHARI TO SIGN ELECTORAL AMENDED BILL INTO LAW
Prosper Okoye/Mtemdoo Gbagyo
Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Bill as amended into law.
This request is one, out of the nine requests in the communique that was issued by the governors, who met under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum, on Monday, 14th Feb. 2022, at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa.
Reading the communique to journalists after the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the Forum, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said the meeting reviewed the state of the nation and the readiness of the party to rescue the nation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule.
The Forum opined that delaying the signing of the Electoral Amended Bill, President Buhari would be demonstrating an unwilliness to give to Nigerians a reformed electoral framework.
“Waiting to run out the 30 days is yet another sign of unwillingness by Mr President to give Nigeria a reformed Electoral framework.
“If there are still misgivings on any aspect of the Bill Amendments, it may be introduced at a later stage.” Ikpeazu advised.
The communique read further that, the PDP Governors expressed displeasure on the issue of contaminated fuel that has been supplied to Nigerians, describing it as a “national disgrace.” And demanded that the Federal government brings the perpetrators into account.
“The PDP Governors frown at the duplicity, inconsistency, insincerity of the APC led Federal Government on the fuel subsidy regime, which has been badly and corruptly administered.
“The figures of consumption ascribed to Nigerians appear fictitious and bloated. There is a need for proper investigation to be conducted on this matter.” The statement read.
Also, the PDP governos urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to expedite action on the new Revenue Allocation formula, so as to increase allocation to States and Local Government.
The Forum deplored the way and manner the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is being run as an alternate government. They described the CBN setup “as a government within a government.” And maintained that it was time to streamline the functions and processes of CBN, in order to make it become constitutionally compliant.
The Forum once again decried the opaque nature of NNPC operations. And called for accountability and reconciliation of NNPC remittances into the federation account.
About the current phase of the Constitution Review exercise at the National Assembly, the Forum urged the national lawmakers to revisit the issue of devolution of more powers to the States and Local Governments.
“This opportunity to rejig the framework for policing and securing Nigeria should not be missed. To this end, the Forum would set up a Panel of Consultants to have a thorough look at the security architecture of Nigeria and make recommendations.
“National Assembly should transfer some items on the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.”
The PDP Governors were particularly delighted over the victory of their party winning 43 out of 62 councillorship positions in the Abuja Area Council election, however expressed concerns on future elections manipulation.
“In spite of improvements in the conduct of elections, the Gwagwalada and Abuja Area Council results show that manipulations are still possible.
“Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should tighten all observed loopholes and further improve on the functioning of the BIVAS Machine for future elections.”
The PDP Governors congratulated their colleague, Governor Douye Diri on his second anniversary in office.
They noted that he has made a positive difference for the people of Bayelsa State and also thanked him for being such a gracious and wonderful host.
The Transmitter learnt through the Special Assistant on Media to Rivers State Governor, Calvin Ibiri, that the Forum, welcomed the Court decision on Police Trust Fund deductions from the Federation Account. He noted that the suit was at the instance of Rivers State government; he urged the Federal Government to stop similar “unconstitutional deductions from the Federation Account.”
Attendants at the meeting were: the Abia State Governor and Vice Chairman of the Forum, Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State and Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.
Others were: Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State.
Also: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of Oyo State and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed.
