The PDP Governor’s Forum comprising all elected Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed displeasure over the“excruciating hardship and suffering experienced by Nigerians under the current leadership of All Progressive Congress(APC) led Federal Government; describing the party as “a menace to Nigerians”.
The PDP Governor’s Forum in a Communique issued at the end of their regular meeting held at Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA and read by the Chairman of the forum, Aminu Tambuwal, reviewed the near collapse of the APC as a viable political party, the readiness of the PDP to take over and offer qualitative leadership options to rescue the nation.
The forum lamented that Nigerians are faced with untold hardship on virtually all aspects of life especially with the astronomical rise in fuel pump price, unemployment rate, accumulated inflation, price of foodstuffs and insecurity among others.
It added the life was much better in 2015 under the PDP than what obtains under the present APC as exemplified in the following Comparative Indicators obtained mainly from the National Bureau of Statistics.
“Diesel which is critical for running of SMEs was N131.47 in 2015, it now costs above N700. Fuel: Official and Black-Market was N87/155 in 2015, it now costs N167/350. Aviation Fuel/Air Ticket Rate on Domestic Flights was N110 per Litre/N18,000 in 2015, it now hovers around N700 per Litre/N70,000, where available. Indeed, the scarcity of fuel which has resulted in loss of several man hours is a disgrace to Nigeria.
“The collapse of the National Grid (126 times in 7 years – (June 2015 to March 2022) and its consequences for non-availability of power is most unfortunate.
Kerosene (NHK) used by the ordinary Nigerian for cooking and power was N180 in 2015, it now sells at ₦450.Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) – 12.5kg Cylinder sold for N2,400 in 2015, is now sold at between N8,750 and N10, 000.
“Prices of basic food stuffs are now three times higher than what they used to be in 2015. Staple foods such as rice, beans, cassava flakes are now slipping out of the hands of average Nigerians. Indeed, a Bag of Rice sold for N8500 in 2015 is now N39,000.
Electricity was N14.23 per kilowatt in 2015, it is now N38.530, and not even available.
“Unemployment rate was 11.4% in 2015, it is now over 33%, one the highest in the world. The poverty rate in 2015 was 11.3% but now about 42.8%.Accumulated Inflation in 2015 was about 4%, it is now 15.50%; Inflation Rate was 9.01% in 2015 and now 15.7%. Perhaps the Exchange Rate has been one of the most disastrous. N150 to a dollar was the parallel market (patronised by most businessmen and Nigerians) rate in 2015, it is now about N580 to $1 in the parrel market and still rising.
The Forum expressed surprised that in the face of these statistics of complete failure in all ramifications and areas, the APC still wants to be on the ballot in 2023; “This shows how uncaring and insensitive the APC is. IT HAS BECOME A MENACE TO NIGERIA”.
The PDP Governor’s Forum therefore urged Nigerians to reject the APC as it is “so disorganized to offer good governance to the people”.
The Governors also expressed concern and alarm over various reports and claims of incidents of stealing of crude oil ranging from 80% to 95% of production made by industry practitioners and called on the Federal Government to set up an appropriate mechanism to reverse this trend and bring perpetrators to account.
The Forum noted the approval by the PDP NEC of the Time Table and Timelines for Congresses and Convention of the Party and urged all party members and party leadership to remain focused and united to win power in 2023, to tackle the myriads of problems facing the country.
