Relinquish Power Now If Nigeria’s Problems Overwhelm You, PDP Govs Tell APC

*Matawalle cautions Tinubu’s critics against unguarded utterances 

*Says provocative comments can cause violence

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have advised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to graciously throw in the towel if it cannot mobilise Nigerians as well as all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions to the various problems plaguing the nation.

This is coming as the Minister of State for Defence, Mr. Bello Matawalle, urged Nigerians to refrain from making provocative statements about President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying that unguarded utterances can cause violence.
The governors, under the aegis of the PDP Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) specifically noted that the hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious or party colouration, stressing that “a hungry man is an angry man”.

In a statement released yesterday in Abuja by the Director-General of PDP-GF, Hon Cyril Maduabum, the governors further stated that their communique issued after a meeting held on February 12, was a patriotic intervention and wake-up call in the national interest.  
They expressly pointed out that the buck ultimately stops at the President Tinubu’s table as the President and Commander- in- Chief of the Armed Forces.
The governors promised that they would continue to work collaboratively with President Tinubu in finding lasting solutions to “a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015”.

The governors however condemned the positions of the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris; APC Governors’ Forum and other officials of the APC-led federal government who criticised the PDP governors for their suggestions, advice and patriotic intervention on the way forward for the country in a communique issued at the end of their recent meeting in Abuja.

They reminded the APC-led government of the pertinent need to be guided by the fact that it sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria not to compound them or shift blame, or grandstand or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.
 “It must be noted that even though Nigeria is a Federation, there is indeed only one economy.
“Hardship and suffering being faced by Nigerians have no tribal, religious or party colouration.  A hungry man is an angry man.
“While all tiers of government have a role to play, the APC-led federal government has a disproportionate role to play in mobilising Nigerians and all organs and tiers of government for sustainable solutions.

“If it cannot do so or is unable to do so, it should graciously throw in the towel.
“Attempts by the Honourable Minister of Information, APC Governors’ Forum and other officials of the federal government who criticised the PDP Governors’ Forum for their patriotic intervention should be guided by the fact that the APC sought power to solve the problems of Nigeria not to compound them or shift blame, or grandstand or use propaganda to obfuscate or confuse issues.

“PDP-governed states are comparatively the best in Nigeria in terms of developmental policies, programmes, and projects that benefit their States positively, regular payment of salaries, pensions, gratuities, and minimum wage to their workforce.
“State governments that are delinquent on these issues are not of PDP extraction. It is false to say so.
“Even the food crises are exacerbated by insecurity and high exchange rate issues, among others, which are largely federal subjects.
“The PDP governors as stakeholders in governance would continue to work collaboratively with Mr. President to find lasting solutions to a very difficult situation created or exacerbated by the APC since 2015. We believe in co-operative federalism,” the PDP governors explained.

Matawalle Cautions Tinubu’s Critics against Unguarded Utterances

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, has urged Nigerians to refrain from making provocative statements about Tinubu’s administration, stressing that such comments are destructive and capable of causing violence.
In a statement issued at the weekend by the Director of Press, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, the minister noted that Tinubu was on top of the situation in the country.
“The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, cautioned Nigerians against using inflammatory comments against the government, saying that such comments are unnecessary.

“The minister made this call against the backdrop of some unguarded utterances coming from some sections of the populace.
“He said such comments are incisive and destructive and can exacerbate tensions and lead to violence in our beloved nation. Matawalle said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the capacity and political will and he is working round the clock to see that Nigeria is better and a well-secured nation.”
The minister also said Tinubu has put in place various policies to reshape and modernise the nation’s economy, and secure lives, and properties.
The statement added: “The President has given priority to the safety of citizens by equipping the Nigerian military to function optimally while the Service Chiefs have also been charged to rebuild the capacity of the Security Services.

“Matawalle said that the President understands the nexus between insecurity and poverty and that was why the government is increasing its investment in MSMEs. This is in addition to the 15 million vulnerable households that will be added to the extended social safety net.
“He said just a few days ago, the president approved the creation of a committee that included the state governors and federal representatives that will explore among other things the possibility of establishing State Police that will help in checkmating crimes.”

The minister, however, underscored the importance of unity, stating that what affects one Nigerian ultimately affects the entire nation.
“It is imperative for us as Nigerians to embrace dialogue and understanding in addressing our differences. We must remember that our strength lies in our diversity, and only through unity can we overcome the challenges facing our nation,” he said.

Matawalle noted that unwarranted utterances against the government would have consequences.
“He advised the agents of disunity to refrain from further unwarranted utterances, as such will have consequences
“Matawalle urged all citizens to prioritise peace, tolerance, and national cohesion in their words and actions, as we collectively strive towards building a prosperous and harmonious Nigeria,” the statement added.