Governors on the platform of the All
Progressive Congress have asked the Federal Government to desist from
dictatorial acts capable of adding more pains to the suffering of Nigerians.
The governors, under the aegis of The
Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, said that Nigerians had already borne a lot
of pains and agony arising from government failure to meet their basic needs
despite being asked to be patient and make sacrifices over the years.
The PGF position was contained in
their Eid-el-Kabir message, signed by its Director General, Salihu Mohammed
Lukman, and made available to Vanguard last night.
The PGF said: “We also wish to call
on the federal government to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and shun all
dictatorial tendencies such as the arbitrary sealing of the Adamawa State
Government lodge in Abuja.
“The PGF not only finds this attitude
condemnable but also demands the immediate opening of the lodge to enable it
conduct its normal business.
“Similarly, the PGF notes with
concern, several acts of intimidation of opposition parties by the state
government and the PDP in Delta State in the recent run-off election.
“This is a very dangerous trend that
cannot be allowed to continue because it has grave consequences on our
democracy. Freedom of choice and right of association, which are enshrined in
our Constitution and must therefore be allowed to flourish, and not sacrificed
for undue electoral advantage.
“We call on the Peoples Democratic
Party, PDP, to allow Nigerians to freely and fairly elect candidates of their
choice in every part of the country.
“One of the most important lessons of
Eid-el-Kabir is the need for patience and sacrifice. However, it is the view of
the PGF that Nigerians have been asked to make painful sacrifices too often
without anything to show for their patience.
“For that reason, it is time for
Nigerians to demand better service, accountability and recompense for years of
patience. It is our position that any government that fails to be accountable
to the electorates has lost its legitimacy.
“Sadly, Nigerians have been compelled
to deal with lack of services, which has made life unbearable for all Nigerians
and the resultant worsening security, poverty and unemployment situations in
the country.
“Without question, any form of
celebrations at this time should be marked by thoughts about our fellow
countrymen and women that have lost their lives or livelihoods to one form of
avoidable conflicts or disasters.
“The PGF appreciates that times are
particularly difficult, and calls on Nigerians not to despair; hope is around
the corner. We pledge to work with Nigerians towards finding and implementing
policies that promote security of lives and property, employment generation and
stimulation of economic activity so that all Nigerians would benefit from our
human and materials resources and convert potentials to real benefits.
“Finally, the PGF assures Nigerians
that we feel your pain and suffering and pledge to do everything we can within
our powers to promote open and transparent governance at all levels, and work
to develop our country based on policies and programmes that would promote
security, end poverty, create jobs, guarantee the rights of every Nigerian as
contained in the laws of the land.”
No comments:
Post a Comment