Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Valentine’s Day to brainstorm on issues affecting the country.
The Governors who reviewed the state of the nation, the readiness of the PDP to rescue the nation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), urged President Muhammad Buhari to immediately sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
They said: “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 may be introduced at a latter stage.”
Expressing their displeasure on the issue of contaminated petrol supplied to Nigerians, the governors further urged the government to bring perpetrators to account.
“The 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,” they said. They called for proper investigation to be conducted on the matter.
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The Forum welcomed the Court’s decision on Police Trust Fund deductions from the Federation Account, even as they urged the Federal Government to stop similar unconstitutional deductions from the Federation Account.
“In the same vein, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission should expedite action on the new Revenue Allocation formula in such a way as to increase allocation to States and Local Governments.
“The Forum once again deplored the way and manner the CBN is being run as an alternate government, indeed, a government within a government. It is time to streamline its functions and processes to be constitutionally compliant.
“The Forum once again decried the opaque nature of NNPC operations. They called for accountability and reconciliation of NNPC remittances into the federation account.
“As the National Assembly winds down this current phase of the Constitution Review exercise, the Forum urges that they 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.
“The Governors also urge the National Assembly to transfer some items from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent List,” a communique made available to Journalists at the end of the meeting read.
The meeting was attended by Governors Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Sen. Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde of Oyo State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
