*Says PDP governors asking NNPC to ‘break the bank’ for own ends
By KEMI KASUMU
The Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on Wednesday, told Nigerians and members of the international community why the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), sacked from power over serial corruption and other maladministration cases six years ago, and its representatives cannot be entrusted with national leadership of Nigeria.
Speaking through a statement titled, ‘PDP Governors’ Forum communique ignores real solutions’, issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, dated 16th June 2021 and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER, the nation’s said the fact that the PDP cannot be trusted is not just a matter of now but also a thing not to happen any time soon.
For the opposition party to be averse to a decision by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) not to make contributions to the Federation Account, the statement said the PDP’s governors appear to believe that NNPC can spend the same money twice: once on the petroleum subsidy – which they all support – and then on their States via the Federation Account.
The Presidency said: “NNPC is a trustee for the nation – and this means it must manage its finances with prudence and for the long-term to safeguard the financial support it bestows on our country. What the governors are asking of NNPC is to “break the bank” for their own profligate political ends.
“Similar profligacy and contradiction are in full view with their call to the Central Bank to appreciate the value of the Naira. This would damage exports – including oil revenues on which NNPC depends – as well as damage small businesses and employment. But an appreciated currency would benefit those spending on luxuries from abroad – this, no doubt, being the leading desire of a typical PDP governor.
“When the governors claim a lack of federal institutions’ money pouring into their States’ coffers is an affront to democracy, constitutionalism, and federalism, they fail to mention the ugliest trend against the integrity of Nigeria comes by own hands with their refusal to support the Federal Government’s earnest desire to reinstate the local government as the third tier and finding a lasting solution to farmer-herder conflicts costing the nation lives and livestock.
“This initiative brings rights and support for generations of all ages to bring solutions to challenges that different communities of our country have faced but the PDP governors reject it – denying all Nigerians their constitutional right to live and work in any state of the Federation – preferring to appeal to ethnic division and hatred rather than support the first practical solution offered since independence.
“Similarly, the governors appeal to each other for more involvement of States in mining and geophysical activities within their States. The question must be asked: “Why has this taken you so long?” Such opportunities and States’ powers have been fully available since independence – yet only now the PDP realises it?
“And, of course, the PDP grieve over the Federal Government’s action over Twitter – for it represents the curtailment of their ability to use the platform to spread fake news and invented stories to the detriment of community and good-neighbourliness between the peoples of Nigeria.
“The PDP Governors propose no solutions to any of our nation’s challenges in the face of COVID and global economic downturn: instead, they grasp for more money and mourn their lack of access to social media to spread falsehoods and hate. Their statement is evidence, if any were needed, as to why the President and the APC ended the PDP’s one-party rule in 2015, were re-elected by an increased margin in 2019, and why their winning trend is set to continue far into the future,” it said.
