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The Federal Government has hit back at Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) over their criticism of the state of affairs in the country, saying the governors have questions to answer.
Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in a statement dismissed the PDP governors as merely playing to the gallery.
The Minister’s statement read: “Nigerians should ask the PDP Governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states.
“It is on record that most states controlled by the PDP owe workers and pensioners months of unpaid salaries and pension arrears. The PDP Governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers. It is also a fact that many of the PDP Governors have not paid N30,000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than four years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face.
“If the PDP governors are genuinely interested in the living conditions of Nigerians, and are not just stirring up disaffection and ill-will towards the Federal Government, we urge them to meet their obligations to workers, pensioners, and local contractors, and see the multiplier effect.
“It is disappointing that the PDP Governors talk about rising costs of living and food when they have not done much to increase food production in their states. The land in Nigeria belongs to the states, not the Federal Government.”
“The Governors, in their communique yesterday, did not tell Nigerians how they are supporting farmers in their states to boost food production; a responsibility that is strictly within their purview. Instead, they shifted all the blame to the Federal Government, while shirking their own responsibilities to the people they govern.”
The minister stressed: “We welcome their call for a bipartisan approach to solving our nation’s economic and security problems.
“As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.”
“However, as leaders in the country, who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their roles as leaders.
“It is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.
“We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela.”
