*Minimum Wage: Tell FG, Labour To Consider States, LG’s Ability To Pay
STATE governors on the platform of the People Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged support for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in the crisis between him and his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike.
Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, made the pledge in a communique the forum issued at the end of its meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Wednesday, July 17.
According to Mohammed, the Forum was aware of the ongoing crisis in Rivers State and was committed to support Fubara, having resolved that the issue should be settled through political solutions.
He said all the leaders and organs of the party were committed to go together and resolve the issue with minimal division and rancour, adding: “We will employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises.”
He explained that in the spirit of the founding fathers, they would adopt internal democracy as the fundamental principle on which the party was built during the party congress, stressing that congresses leading to the election of party leaders at the various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in strict compliance with the constitution of the party.
Mohammed also commended the governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and their timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.
While recounting how successful the country was under PDP’s 16-year administration between 1999 and 2015, Mohammed reiterated the party’s commitment in restoring the country’s past glory,
He lamented that single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living for every Nigerian witnessed under the PDP-led administrations at the centre have been eroded during the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government.
He added that the Forum identified with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times, promising to bring back those good old days of low inflation rate and affordable food.
He reminisced on others issues, including fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows, resulting in high naira value, and the greater quality of human life, calling on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy, as they march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.
The Forum urged the organised Labour and the Federal Government to consider state and local government’s ability to pay any new minimum wage in their negotiation.
While reiterating the Forum’s full support to Labour demand, the Chairman said agreement must be taken to consider the ability to pay by the sub-national, Federal Government and the third tier of government.
“The Labour demand, which is substantially salary raise, is eminently justified, and therefore, called for proper support of the Forum.
“While negotiation are ongoing, we appeal for restraining of utterance and actions that could lead to complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately lead to the collapse of the economy.”
Mohammed added that the Forum would continue to support the autonomy of the local government, as enshrined in the constitution and as ruled by the Supreme Court, noting that the governors believes in the efficacy of the local government system, which ensures that governance is brought closer to the people, as provided in the constitution.
On the off-season election in Edo and Ondo states, the governor admonished all the parties to ensure that their campaigns were issue-based, violence-free and compliance to the procedures of the Electoral Act.
Mohammed called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to provide enabling environment that guaranteed level play ground, fairness and peaceful elections, maintaining that any act of bias would be totally resisted by the party.
“We, therefore, urge Mr. President to show leadership as a true democratic and refrain from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire election process.”
All the PDP governors, except Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, attended the meeting, as well as its National Working Committee (NWC) and other organs.
