Politics

PDP leaders seek FG appointees’ reduction, warns against war in Niger

The governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Saturday, August 5, 2023, and the leaders of the opposition party met in Abuja, urging the Federal Government to curtail the cost of governance.

The PDP governors and leaders said 48 ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to develop the country’s economy.

The meeting had in attendance the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar.

The party, in a communique issued at the end of the meeting by the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, also declared its readiness to tackle anti-party activities and sabotage.

It said: “The meeting emphasized the need for party discipline and reiterated zero tolerance for anti-party activities and sabotage.

“No individual or group of individuals will be allowed to undermine the unity of the party and its processes.

“The meeting committed to repositioning and stabilizing the party. To this end, the healing and reconciliation process is in progress and yielding results.

“The meeting signaled that unity and loyalty are still core values of the PDP and would be rewarded.

“All the Governors and organs of the party solidly support the PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, to rescue the stolen mandate in the tribunal and would do everything lawful towards achieving this.

“The Governors will work in partnership with the party at the states and national level to ensure good governance, transparency, and accountability.

“The meeting counseled the Federal Government to show leadership in curtailing the cost of Governance. 48 Ministers and several Special Advisers and Assistants should be reduced to ensure the health of our economy.

“The meeting advised the President, Commander in Chief, and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to go into any form of war with the Republic of Niger over the recent military coup in the country.

“Rather, all tools of dialogue and diplomacy should be further employed.”

Others at the meeting were the immediate past governor of Delta State and PDP vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa; Governors Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Peter Mbah (Enugu), and Ademola Adeleke (Osun).

Others included Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Also present were the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Deputy National Chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja; and National Vice Chairman (South-South), Dan Orbih; among others.

The Star