Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The 13 governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have thrown their weight behind the demand by the organised labour on new national minimum wage for workers in the country.
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, made this known on Wednesday while briefing Journalists on the outcome of their meeting held at the Government House, Enugu.
The governors also condemned the crisis in Rivers State and promised to ensure that it is resolved amicably.
While reading out the communique before newsmen, the Forum acknowledged that the minimum wage negotiations were becoming unduly protracted in the face of the unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the people, saying Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise was eminently justified.
According to the Forum: “Agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the subnational, the federal and the local governments.”
The governors, however, appealed for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to the complete breakdown of law and order as well as the collapse of the economy.
The Forum declared their support for autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution, adding that it believed in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance will be brought closer to the people.
The governors regretted the level of hardship faced by Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
The PDP governors forum promised to bring back the good old days of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation among others.
The meeting commended the governors of the PDP controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youths initiative as well as timely delivery of the developmental projects across the country.
The governors further called on Nigerians to refrain from any anarchy as the PDP marches towards the return of the party to power in 2027.
The forum commended governor Peter Mbah of Enugu state for holding the party together not only in Enugu but in the entire South-East and extolled his achievements within a very short time in office.
All the PDP governors, except Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, attended the meeting.
