Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Federal Government to name states allegedly diverting local governments funds.
The governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors Forum, stated this at a meeting held in Abuja on Thursday night and faulted what it called an allegation by the Federal Government that states are divert local government funds.
The meeting was held with the leadership of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside President of the Eighth Senate Bukola Saraki and the House Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
The meeting which held at Bayelsa State Government Lodge, Maitama, Abuja saw the newly elected governors under the party joining their returning colleagues to deliberate on issues affecting the nation and the party.
According to a communique read by the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, the governors who said they do not engage in diversion of council funds, however demanded a review of the revenue sharing formula in the country.
The governors said “The Forum deliberated on the issue of alleged diversion of local government funds by state governments and condemned it in very strong terms. We as governors on the platform of the PDP want to make it clear that no PDP governor is involved in this allegation of diverting local government funds for whatever purpose.
“In our case, the reverse is the case. It is the state government that have been supporting and subsidizing 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 the people who were in charged as the time when this diversion took place,” he said.
They further declared eagerness to pay the new Minimum Wage to alleviate the plight of workers.
The Forum however condemned the indefinite suspension slammed on the African Independent Television and Raypower FM by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
While accusing the present administration of gagging the media, they said, Dickson 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 secunty apparatus by the federal government, and as such supported the growing call for the establishment of State Police as a response to the worsening security situation across the nation.
PDP Governors commended the Judiciary for exhibiting uncommon courage and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities despite the difficult circumstances.
Other governors at the meeting are those of Ifeanyi Okowa, Delta; Seyi Makinde, Oyo; Dave Umahi, Ebonyi; Darius Ishyaku, 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.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
