Current Hardship Caused By Economic, Security Challenges, PDP Govs Declare

•CAN optimistic of better days 

•Kano emir expresses worry over situation 

•Senate asks govs to share grains to citizens

Chuks Okocha, Sunday Aborisade in Abuja, Mary Nnah in Lagos and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors,  yesterday, said the current hardship being experienced by Nigerians was occasioned by the economic and security challenges being faced by the nation.

Also, the Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has assured Nigerians that they would smile soon.

This was as the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has expressed concern over the current spate of insecurity, hunger and starvation in the Nation.

At the same time, the Senate has challenged the 36 governors of the federation to emulate President Bola Tinubu by also sharing grains to their citizens in order to cushion the effects of hunger and starvation being experienced by many Nigerians.

However, the PDP governors, after their meeting, called on the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government to rise to the occasion and address the situation before it gets out of hand.

Reading the communique of the meeting, chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, reiterated the governors’ calls for the establishment of multi-level police.

They further asked the Ambassador Illya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to summon all relevant meetings of the organs of the party including the National Executive Committee (NEC)meeting.

“The meeting reviewed the State of the Nation and noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the economic and security challenges facing the nation.

“The forum consequently urges the federal government to as a matter of urgency embark on initiatives involving all the sub-national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises, he said.”

Assuring the people that the PDP governors would continue to play their part in the effort to bring security and succour to the people, he said, “To this end, we reiterate our call for state police with appropriate safeguards to avoid any abuse or overreach by any tier of government.

“The Forum decried the falling value of the Naira and requested the monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions.

“The meeting further reviewed recent developments in the Peoples Democratic Party and  committed to leading efforts to revamp and reposition the party to serve as an effective opposition to the ruling Party in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the Forum passed a vote of confidence in the Iliya Damagum led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party and urged it to put in motion the machinery for convening meetings of the appropriate organs of the party – from Caucus to National Executive Committee (NEC) as soon as possible.”

Fielding questions on the rising cost of living in the country, he said, “The rising cost of living is not only under the purview of the federal government. We have been partnering to make sure that we don’t bring any distraction but the monetary and economic policies rests squarely with the federal government.”

On the question that the PDP has lost its voice as an opposition party, Mohammed said, “PDP is the most democratic party, the most experienced party in the country. We have been at the seat of governance and Nigerians took a decision to bring APC at the centre and we respect their sensibilities and sense of judgement of Nigerians.”

Speaking on the Edo State governorship election, he said, “We are 100 per cent behind Edo and you can see that there is no rancour, there is no division and we are very much behind the National Workings Committee, the state chapter of the party and indeed the governor to make sure that we go together in unison to produce a successor for the most respected eldest governor in the governors forum.”

CAN Declares Better Days Ahead

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has assured Nigerians that they would smile soon.

He expressed optimism over the economic policies of the present government especially, at the federal level,  saying it would begin to improve the lives of the citizens and the narratives would be a positive one in the shortest possible time.

He spoke while addressing newsmen during a press conference to announce the annual Inter-Denominational Divine Service, (IDDS) for this year scheduled to take place on  Saturday, February 17, at the LAWNA Territorial Headquarters, Olorunda, Ketu, Lagos.

Adegbite said, “No doubt, these are desperate and challenging times. Change is never an easy process neither does it come without some cost.

“Yes, we are sowing in tears at the moment, our time to reap in joy is just around the bend. Our painful perseverance will surely be rewarded in full with better and quality living.”

Informing that this year’s edition comes under the theme: “Christ in you, the hope of glory”, taken from Colossians Chapter 1 verse 27, he said the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would be the special guest of honour.

He noted further that thousands of Christian faithful from within Lagos State would be in attendance to praise God and pray collectively for the prosperity and stability of Lagos State and Nigeria at large.

Kano Emir Raises Concern over Hunger

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, has expressed concern over the current spate of insecurity, hunger and starvation in the nation.

Bayero, who received the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at his Palace on yesterday in Kano, said though, the situation did not start under Tinubu’s administration, something has to be done to arrest the situation.

“On the hardship and hunger being faced by the people, though it didn’t start with this government, the situation has become more alarming and needs urgent attention.

“Moreso, the issue of insecurity is another serious problem we are facing. I know your government inherited it, but something more serious needs to be done to tackle the situation,” he said.

The Emir, therefore, called on the government to enlighten the public on the motive behind moving the Federal Airports Authority Nigeria (FAAN) and some departments of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Lagos.

The Emir commended the effort of the first lady for improving welfare for women, and children especially the girl child education across the country.

He described her as the best alternative to get the president informed of the hardship being faced by the people.

In her remarks, Mrs. Tinubu has reassured citizens that the Nigerian government has shown commitment and concern to address the hardships being faced by Nigerians.

“I bring you warm greetings from Mr President. He said I should greet you, that he wishes you well. I thank all the Chiefs and the Queens that are in the palace. I thank Kano this means a lot to me.

“Despite what is going on, you just hold on, we mean well for this nation. I remember what we did in Lagos, it was a little bit shaky, but we assured Nigerians we were going to be resolute. So, just bear with us.

“But you should continue to assist whoever you can. Things will get better by the Grace of God” the First Lady stated.”

Senate: Govs Too Should Share Grains to Citizens

The Senate has challenged governors to emulate President Bola Tinubu by also sharing grains to their citizens in order to cushion the effects of hunger and starvation being experienced by many Nigerians.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, made the appeal in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, and made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

Barau specifically commended President Tinubu for ordering the release of 102,000 tonnes of rice, maize, millet and others to be shared to vulnerable Nigerians on order address the high cost of food in the country.

He explained that the federal government had through the Special Presidential Committee on Emergency Food Intervention, headed by the Chief of Staff, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, last Thursday, ordered the release of the 102,000 tonnes of grains to Nigerians.

He said the move would go a long way in cushioning the effects of the rising cost of commodities in the country.

“I urge governors  and local government chairmen to emulate the federal government by releasing grains to the needy in the country,” Barau said.

On his part, Barau said he would, in the coming days, distribute rice to 200,000 households as part of his contributions to address the challenge.

“At this trying period, we should all support the federal government to address the challenges our country is currently facing. As we all know, the rising cost of food is a global phenomenon and our country is not unaffected by it,” he said.