The Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum has thrown its weight behind the implementation of judicial and legislative autonomy in the Federation and States.
In a communiqué issued at the end of their two-day meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital, the forum said this was in conformity with the extant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The group reiterated ‘’its call, which seem to have fallen on deaf ears, for the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to URGENTLY SEND the revised Revenue Allocation Formula to Mr President for onward transmission to the National Assembly for enactment, such that more resources are made available to States and Local Governments where ordinary Nigerians reside.
It called on the Chairman and Members of the Commission to RESIGN or be relieved of their duties, if they cannot discharge this sacred constitutional duty entrusted by the Nigerian people to it. The present constitutional amendment process should make the Commission more independent and accountable to all stakeholders.
The meeting called for more involvement of States in mining and geophysical activities within their States. This is necessary not just to curtail harm to the environment but to further diversify the Nigerian economy and complement Oil as a foreign exchange earner for Nigeria.
The forum reviewed the emerging threats to our democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law and cautioned the Federal Government to exercise power with restraint.
”The need for law and order is paramount to secure our nation but mindless killings of innocent civilians should be avoided and is hereby condemned. It is in the same vein that the meeting reiterated its earlier revulsion at any attack on security personnel and their property anywhere in the country as a criminal and egregious act for which perpetrators should be brought to book.’’
On the Twitter ban, the meeting examined the suspension of TWITTER from operating in Nigeria, and condemned the personalised reasons given for the action.
”The mere ego of Mr President is not enough for such a drastic action that deprives millions of Nigerians from such an affordable means of expression and communication. We hope that this is not a harbinger or early warning signs of descent into dictatorship,’’ it stated.
The meeting noted that social media regulation can only be done within the existing laws on the subject and should not be used as an attempt to punish or gag Nigerians from enjoying constitutionally guaranteed rights.
According to the forum, ‘’Nigerian youths do not have adequate access to employment and a lot of Nigerians rely on TWITTER for their livelihood, businesses and self-employment.
”This will further worsen Nigeria’s 33% unemployment rate which is the highest in the world, improve Nigeria’s ranking as the country with second highest poverty rate in the entire world, all of which happened under APC’s unfortunate stewardship.’’
The forum, therefore, called on Mr President to review the suspension of TWITTER operations in Nigeria in the national interest.
The meeting was attended by Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, CFR – Sokoto State – Chairman; Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu – Abia State – Vice Chairman; Gov. Udom Emmanuel – Akwa Ibom State; Gov. Sen. Douye Diri – Bayelsa State; Gov. Samuel Ortom -Benue State; Gov. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa – Delta State; Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi – Enugu State and Gov. Nyesom Wike, CON – Rivers State.
Others were Governor Engr. Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde – Oyo State; Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri -Adamawa State; Governor Godwin Obaseki – Edo State; Governor Bala Mohammed -Bauchi State; Governor Arc Darius Ishaku -Taraba State and Deputy Gov. Mahdi Mohd -Zamfara State, Deputy Governor.
