Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a meeting, yesterday, in Abuja and called for the adoption of state police as a way of resolving issues of insecurity. It also asked the Federal Government to take urgent and comprehensive measures to halt the deteriorating value of the naira.
The governors made the call just as the Lagos State House of Assembly expressed concern over the deplorable state of security in the country and advocated state police as the solution.
In a communique read by the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, the governors “noted the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of economic and security challenges facing the nation.”
The communiqué reads: “The forum consequently urges the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, embark on initiatives involving all sub-national governments to bring a lasting solution to the crises.”
On the falling value of the naira, the forum requested the monetary and fiscal authorities to find appropriate solutions. The governors passed a vote of confidence in the Iliya Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and urged it to put in motion the machinery for convening meetings of the appropriate organs, from caucus to National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as soon as possible.
The meeting was attended by Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State; Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State; Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State; and Kefas Agbu of Taraba State.
Other attendees were Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai of Enugu State; and Deputy Governor Monday John Onyeme of Delta State.
Responding to questions on the rising cost of living in the country, Bala Mohammed said: “We are working closely with the Federal Government since the inception of this administration. The rising cost of living is not only under the purview of the Federal Government.
“We have been partnering with them to make sure that we don’t bring any distraction but the monetary and economic policies rests squarely with the Federal Government.”
THE call by the Lagos House of Assembly was inspired by an urgent motion raised by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, on the recent attack by some unknown gunmen in the Igbogbo area of Ikorodu Council.
Obasa, who expressed concern about the rising insecurity with the latest attack in Igbogbo called on the National Assembly to consider the review of the 1999 Constitution that would allow state police and dispel the fear that governors would use them to witch-hunt oppositions.
The member representing Ikorodu 2 at the state Assembly, Moshood Aro, while giving an account of the attack highlighted some sustainable solutions including the immediate establishment of state police, among others.
