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2023 General Elections: ‘Reject APC’, PDP Governors Urge Nigerians

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3 years ago

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PDP Governors Forum
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The PDP Governors’ Forum has urged Nigerians to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying it is impossible for a party so “disorganised” to offer good governance to the people of Nigeria.

The governors’ appeal was disclosed in a communique after their meeting in Abia State on Wednesday.

Among other things, they reviewed the “excruciating hardship and suffering being meted out to Nigerians by a failed APC-led Federal Government; the near collapse of the APC as a viable political party, and the readiness of the PDP to take over and offer qualitative leadership options to rescue the nation.

In attendance were: Governor. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State (Chairman), Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State (Vice Chairman), Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Benue, Samuel Ortom, Governor of Delta, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Edo, Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor of Oyo, Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike, and Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Hon Haruna Manu.

They issued the following Communique:

1. We lament the terrible pain and hardship facing Nigerians in virtually all aspects of life. The meeting noted that life was much better in 2015 under the PDP than today under the APC as exemplified in the following Comparative Indicators obtained mainly from the National Bureau of Statistics:
a. Diesel which is critical for running of SMEs was N131.47 in 2015, it now costs above N700
b. Fuel: Official and Black-Market was N87/155 in 2015, it now costs N167/350.
c. Aviation Fuel/Air Ticket Rate on Domestic Flights was N110 per Litre/N18,000 in 2015, it now hovers around N700 per Litre/N70,000, where available. Indeed, the scarcity of fuel which has resulted in loss of several man hours is a disgrace to Nigeria.
d. The collapse of the National Grid (126 times in 7 years – (June 2015 to March 2022) and its consequences for non-availability of power is most unfortunate.
e. Kerosene (NHK) used by the ordinary Nigerian for cooking and power was N180 in 2015, it now sells at ₦450.
f. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12.5kg Cylinder sold for N2,400 in 2015, is now sold at between N8,750 and N10, 000.
g. Prices of basic food stuffs are now three times higher than what they used to be in 2015. Staple foods such as rice, beans, cassava flakes are now slipping out of the hands of average Nigerians. Indeed, a Bag of Rice sold for N8500 in 2015 is now N39,000.
h. Electricity was N14.23 per kilowatt in 2015, it is now N38.530, and not even available.
i. Unemployment rate was 11.4% in 2015, it is now over 33%, one the highest in the world.
j. The poverty rate in 2015 was 11.3% but now about 42.8%.
k. Accumulated Inflation in 2015 was about 4%, it is now 15.50%; Inflation Rate was 9.01% in 2015 and now 15.7%.
l. Perhaps the Exchange Rate has been one of the most disastrous. N150 to a dollar was the parallel market (patronised by most businessmen and Nigerians) rate in 2015, it is now about N580 to $1 in the parrel market and still rising.
m. Debt and Debt Servicing:
Domestic Debt of N8.4T and External Debt of USD 7.3b was incurred between 1999-2015.
While Domestic Debt of N7.63T (June 2015-Dec 2020) and USD28.57b as at Dec 2020 was incurred. External debt of USD21.27b was incurred between June 2015 and 2021.
n. National Debt to GDP Ratio was 23.41% (2016) it is now 36.88% (2022).
o. The Corruption Index has risen from 136 in 2015 to 150 now.
p. Nigeria’s Misery Index, an indicator used in determining how economically well off the citizens of a country are, is usually calculated by adding the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to the annual inflation rate, has moved from 14.75 percent in 2015 to 50.48 (2021).
q. The major threat to the agricultural sector and food security in Nigeria is insecurity. In the northeast of Nigeria, it is estimated that no fewer than 70,000 hectares of arable farmland have been abandoned in the affected States and Local Government areas. The trend is the same all over the country. This further contributes to food inflation. The APC led Federal Government must take steps to cooperate with States to bring security down to the grassroots.
2. The Forum is surprised that in the face of these statistics of complete failure in all ramifications and areas, the APC still wants to be on the ballot in 2023.
This shows how uncaring and insensitive the APC is. IT HAS BECOME A MENACE TO NIGERIA.
3. The Forum urges Nigerians to reject the APC, a party run undemocratically by a Committee contrary to the Constitution (S.228) with Mr. President regularly issuing instructions and dictates. It is impossible for a party so disorganized to offer good governance to the people of Nigeria.
4. The meeting expressed concern and alarm over various reports and claims of incidents of stealing of crude oil ranging from 80% to 95% of production made by industry practitioners and called on the Federal Government to set up an appropriate mechanism to reverse this trend and bring perpetrators to account.
5. The PDP Governors once again decried the inability of the NNPC to make its statutory contributions to the Federation Account, inspite of Oil selling at above $110. It is patently unconstitutional for NNPC to determine at its whim and discretion when and what to pay to the Federation Account, as it is a mere trustee of the funds for the three tiers of Government: Federal, States and Local Governments. We once again, call for investigations and audit of the quantity of consumption of fuel ascribed to Nigerians and for deployment of technology at the filling stations to determine in a transparent manner the volume of consumption.
The Governors would resist any further attempt by NNPC to ascribe unsubstantiated subsidy claims to other tiers of government.
6. Furthermore, S.162 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended stipulates that “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be
paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation…”
and S.162 (10) states that “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes –
(a) any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law;
(b) any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation;
(c) any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body”
a. As of today, 18 (Eighteen) Federation Revenue Agencies are not paying/remitting any revenue to the FAAC Account. These include (i) Central Bank of Nigeria (ii) Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) (iii) Nigeria Liquefied National Gas (NLNG) (iv) Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) (v) Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) (vi) NPA (vii) Security and Exchange Commission etc
(b) FIRS and DPR takes cost of collection of 4% (Four percent) of Revenue collected while Customs collects 7%. In March 2022 for instance, FIRS took N15.4Billion as cost of collection and Customs took N8.4b. If these are annualised, FIRS and Customs collects about N1.84Billion and Customs N100B per annum. Obviously, some states of the Federation’s capital budget does not come close to these.
(c) Nigeria Federation has 49% shareholding in NLNG. According to the Minister of Finance during the 2020 budget performance brief at the National Assembly stated that the federation received dividend of N144billion (One Hundred and Forty Four Billion) from NLNG. These figure to the best of our knowledge was never paid into the Federation Account.
(d)) NNPC deducts N8.33Billion monthly for the rehabilitation of the Refineries in Nigeria. Till date no refinery is working.
(e) On priority projects of the Nation’s oil industry, NNPC deducted N788.78Billion for various investments between 2018-2021 without recourse to FAAC.
(f) NNPC in 2021 alone claimed to have paid over One Trillion Naira as petroleum subsidy. Indeed, the month of March 2022, N220Billion was deducted as oil subsidy with a promise that N328Billion will be deducted in April 2022. This is unacceptable.
(g) NNPC and FIRS as well as other remitting Agencies continue to apply an exchange rate of N389/$1 as against the Import and Export window of N416/$1. The extent of this leakage can be better felt, if this rate is compared to the current N570/$1.
(h) From available records about N7.6T is withheld between 2012 and 2021, by NNPC from the Federation Account. All these are said to be payments for oil subsidy.
(i) Conclusively, we believe that all these leakages in NNPC have been made possible because the President is also the Minister of Petroleum. The urgent separation of these two portfolios have become necessary
7. The Forum noted the approval by the PDP NEC of the Time Table and Timelines for Congresses and Convention of the Party and urged all party members and party leadership to remain focused and united to win power in 2023, to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country.
8. The PDP Governors congratulated the host, His Excellency, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the PDP Governors’ Forum Vice Chairman, for his generosity and hospitality in the hosting of the meeting.

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Politics

2027 Presidential Poll: Peter Obi Promises to Serve Only One Term if Elected

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17 hours ago

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August 4, 2025

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Peter Obi
Peter Obi
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Former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi has reiterated his commitment to serving only a single four-year term if elected President in 2027.

Obi emphasised that effective leadership should be evaluated by its impact and accountability, rather than the length of time spent in office.

In a statement shared on his X account, Obi referenced historical leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Nelson Mandela, who left significant legacies despite serving shorter terms.

He expressed that purposeful leadership, not longevity, is what truly defines a statesman. “Forty-eight months is sufficient for any leader who is focused and ready to make a meaningful difference. I do not intend to stay a day longer,” Obi stated.

Obi also noted that history demonstrates that the longer many African leaders remain in power, the more likely they are to become corrupted by it.

Currently, Obi plays a pivotal role in the newly formed opposition coalition, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections. While he has yet to declare whether he will run under the ADC or remain with the Labour Party, he has not formally resigned from the LP.

If elected, Obi outlined his administration’s priorities, which will include restoring integrity to governance, combating insecurity, improving education and healthcare, supporting small businesses, and transforming Nigeria into a production-driven economy focused on agriculture, technology, and manufacturing.

He reaffirmed that his pledge to serve only one term is “sacrosanct.”

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Ex-Gombe ADC Governor Candidate Declares Himself Interim National Party Chair

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5 days ago

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July 31, 2025

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Nafiu Bala
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Nafiu Bala, the Gombe State Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the 2023 general elections, has alleged that a leadership crisis within the party has been engineered by individuals he refers to as “political hooligans.”

In a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, Bala declared himself the Interim National Chairman of the party. He stated, “As the duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, I now assume my constitutional duty and responsibility as the Interim National Chairman.”

Bala criticised former party leaders for neglecting their constitutional responsibilities and handing over the party’s structures to “powerful outsiders” who have no affiliation with the ADC. He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise this leadership change and uphold the sanctity of the ADC constitution.

He emphasised, “I, Honourable Nafiu Bala, a bona fide member and duly elected National Deputy Chairman of our great party, the African Democratic Congress, wish to draw the attention of all party members and Nigerians to the ongoing acts of political hooliganism being perpetrated by certain individuals who were previously entrusted with the party’s leadership.”

Bala expressed his frustrations over the “shameful and lawless” actions of these leaders, who, he claims, have plunged the party into unnecessary crisis and uncertainty. He condemned the idea of relinquishing the party’s future to powerful outsiders with no ties to the party, calling it unacceptable.

He noted, “Recently, the nation witnessed a poorly rehearsed political melodrama, in which elected roles were exchanged with certain unfamiliar groups to enable a complete takeover of the party’s structures and political assets. This alarming capitulation is unprecedented in our democratic journey toward constitutional order.”

Bala emphasised that he and his supporters are resolutely committed to challenging what they see as a violation of the party’s rules and ensuring that the constitutional guidelines are respected. He warned that if the individuals involved do not heed their calls for compliance, they would take legal action to address these grievances.

He stated, “It pains us to bring these scandalous events to your attention, but we have been left with no choice in defending our constitutional rights, given the current situation in the party. In the history of democracy worldwide, no party leader or any group of leaders has the authority to arbitrarily transfer an elected mandate or political power to non-members who did not contest for political office.”

Bala reaffirmed his commitment to restoring constitutional order and internal democracy within the ADC. He stressed that the party’s constitution has clear guidelines for succession and filling vacant positions. “The constitution of our great party provides sufficient provisions outlining the succession guidelines and the process for filling vacancies.”

He concluded, “In light of the circumstances and in furtherance of my constitutional mandate as the duly elected National Deputy Chairman, I now assume my role as the Interim National Chairman of our great party. Therefore, I am calling on the esteemed Independent National Electoral Commission to urgently recognise this development.”

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North Has No Regrets About Supporting Tinubu – Bagudu

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5 days ago

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July 31, 2025

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President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu
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Minister of National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, asserted that the North has no regrets about supporting President Bola Tinubu. He emphasized that the region is well-represented and actively engaged in national governance.

Speaking at a technical session during the Government-Citizen Engagement forum organized by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation at Arewa House in Kaduna, Bagudu dismissed claims of marginalization. He described Tinubu’s administration as inclusive, competent, and focused on national unity.

“Those of us privileged to serve in President Tinubu’s administration are vigilant in defending Northern interests. There is no exclusion and absolutely no reason for regret,” he stated.

Bagudu praised Tinubu as a true nationalist, noting that appointments and policies under his leadership are based on merit and national interest rather than ethnicity or regional ties. He urged Northern leaders and citizens to reject divisive narratives, emphasizing that the North is fully engaged at all levels of governance.

Addressing the nation’s economic challenges, Bagudu explained that the Tinubu administration inherited a crisis characterized by unsustainable fuel subsidies and dependency on imports. He mentioned that bold reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the removal of fuel subsidies, foreign exchange liberalization, and revenue restructuring, are stabilizing the economy.

“For example, Adamawa State’s federal allocation increased from N9.76 billion in May 2023 to N22.73 billion by June 2025. That’s a clear result of these reforms,” he noted.

He also highlighted significant structural changes, such as returning the Budget Office to the Ministry of National Planning and creating new ministries, such as Livestock Development, Arts and Culture, and the Blue Economy, all aimed at promoting inclusive growth and economic diversification.

Bagudu stated that the government is now transitioning from economic stabilization to inclusive growth, with a strong focus on poverty reduction and long-term development. He encouraged Northern stakeholders to strategically engage with democratic institutions to influence budget priorities and secure regional development goals.

In addition, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, spoke at the event about the food security crisis inherited by the Tinubu administration. He highlighted targeted, data-driven solutions to address the issue.

Abdullahi revealed that through the Agro-Pocket initiative, over 133,000 hectares of wheat were cultivated across 15 Northern states, exceeding the original target of 130,000 hectares. He also announced the rollout of a farmer data audit and registry to eliminate fictitious beneficiaries and ensure that genuine farmers receive support.

He added that Tinubu’s agricultural reforms include mechanization, value chain development, irrigation and dam projects, and institutional restructuring, all aimed at achieving food security and improving rural livelihoods.

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