Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have challenged the federal government to name states allegedly diverting local governments funds.
The governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors Forum, stated this at a meeting in Abuja on Thursday night/yesterday morning, faulted what they federal government’s allegation that states were diverting council funds.
The meeting, held at Bayelsa State Government Lodge, Maitama, Abuja, along with the leadership of the party and president of the 8th Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and House speaker, Yakubu Dogara, saw the newly elected governors joining their returning colleagues to deliberate on issues affecting the country and the party.
According to a communiqué read by Chairman of the Forum and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the end of the meeting in the early hours yesterday, the governors said they do not engage in diversion of council funds and demanded a review of the revenue sharing formula in the country.
The communiqué stated: “… It is the state government that have been supporting and subsidising funding for the local government. So, we call on the federal government and agency in charge to name the state governments and tell us the date and people in charged as the time when this diversion took place,” he said.
They further declared readiness to pay the new minimum wage to alleviate the plight of workers.
The Forum condemned the indefinite suspension slammed on the African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower FM by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
While accusing the present administration of gagging the media, they said: “If there are any allegation of infraction, then due processes of the law should take place, because when you shut down news outlet, when you harass and intimidate journalists, then you are shutting down Nigerians from speaking their minds. And in democracy, freedom of expression is cardinal component.
“So, we condemn what has taken place and we urge the federal government and its agency to forthwith, do what is right, that is, reopen the company and follow the due process of the law”.
The PDP governors also expressed deep concern over the politicisation of security apparatus by the federal government; hence support the growing call for the establishment of State Police as a response to the worsening security situation across the country.
They commended judiciary officers for exhibiting uncommon courage and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities, despite the difficult circumstances.
Other governors at the meeting were Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Dave Umahi (Ebonyi); Darius Ishaku (Taraba); Bala Mohammed (Bauchi); Adamu Fintiri (Adamawa); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Emeka Ihedioha (Imo); Bello Mohammed Mutawalle (Zamfara) and Deputy Governor of Benue State.
Guardian
