Economic hardship: Don’t blame Tinubu until you justify allocation given to you—APC to PDP governors
Joel Oladele, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has blamed the current economic woes in the country on the inability of governors, especially those elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to justify the federal allocation given to them.
The PDP governor in a statement last Saturday had advised Tinubu to “throw in the towel” if he can’t govern Nigeria anymore”
Reacting to the development, the APC in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka on Sunday said the governors in question are “basking in willful blindness to their constitutional responsibilities,” noting that the “noxious executive flippancy has now become a badge of identity for these idle but viciously complicit spectators in the affairs of their states and citizens.”
The APC Spokesperson stated that the wellbeing of the citizens is a joint responsibility of the federal, state and local governments and accusing Tinubu-led federal government is nothing short of self-indictment.
“A federal system like ours operates on the idea of shared, constitutionally delineated responsibilities among the three tiers of government – federal, state and local governments. Effective governance requires collaboration and coordination among all three levels to deliver the promise of democracy to all citizens.
“By virtue of their membership of the National Economic Council and National Council of State, governors bear a solemn duty, where possible, to proffer constructive ideas or solutions to the challenges of governance of our nation,” Morka said.
He noted that while governors are entitled to free speech just like all citizens; “However, that right must be exercised against a standard of respectability and reasonableness. Reckless utterances capable of inflaming passions and social upheaval must be avoided.
“Likening Nigeria to Venezuela as the PDP governors did in a recent communique, even under the prevailing challenging economic and security contexts of Nigeria, is unhelpful and smacks of unrighteous indignation.
“Rather than live up to their responsibilities as chief executive officers of Nigeria’s federating units, the PDP governors have turned themselves into a band of doomsday vocalists, raising their voices to deafening decibels intended to drown the groans of their citizens battered by their critical inertia, ineptitude and dismal performance as governors of their states.
“As the federal buck “ultimately stops” at the President’s table so the state buck “ultimately stops” at the governors’ table. The PDP governors’ call to the President to throw in the towel is nothing short of self-indictment.
“ It is cringeworthy that the same governors that have never justified the massive federal allocations to their states, that have perennially stifled and dispossessed local government administrations of federally allocated funds are talking about “buck,” APC noted.
Morka specifically knocked the governor of his State (Delta), alleging him of mismanaging over 483.57 Billion Naira federal allocation to the state in 2023.
“How can a governor of a state in utter shambles like Delta participate, barefaced, in a talk about “buck”? Has the PDP governor of Delta state even attempted to justify the over 483.57 Billion Naira federal allocation to the state in 2023? Which part or sector of Delta state bears witness to the use of that huge allocation? Delta state retirees have remained desperately pulverized by PDP’s uninterrupted reckless rule since the advent of this Republic in 1999.
“Since the buck also stops at the PDP governors’ table at the state level, they should practice what they preach by resigning from their offices rather than blaming the federal administration for their utter failure to mobilize massive resources at their disposal to improving the living conditions of their people.”
APC through its Spokesperson further urged citizens to be patient as the President is determined to bring about positive turn around in the country.
“President Bola Tinubu is taking responsibility and providing solid leadership in this historic season of deep and enduring economic transformation in our country. The administration has initiated bold and far-reaching reforms that are indispensable to economic recovery, sustainable growth and prosperity.
“Our people are going through transient but painful difficulties that the administration is supremely determined to mitigate as these policies begin to yield desired results.
“Nigerians deserve to live in peace and security, with access to basic social and economic amenities. Our Party and administration urges patience during these turbulent times as our nation soars unstoppably to firmer grounds and a more prosperous future,” he concluded
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