In a scathing response to a recent statement from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned their “idle but viciously complicit” role in the nation’s affairs, accusing them of shirking their constitutional responsibilities and undermining collaborative governance.
The PDP governors, in their statement, advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to “throw in the towel” if unable to govern Nigeria effectively. The APC, in turn, decried this as executive flippancy, emphasizing the need for responsible discourse and respectability, especially in challenging times marked by economic and security concerns.
The APC argued that governors, as members of the National Economic Council and National Council of State, have a duty to offer constructive ideas for addressing the nation’s challenges. Instead, the PDP governors were criticized for adopting a doomsday rhetoric, neglecting their responsibilities as chief executives, and failing to justify the massive federal allocations to their states.
Highlighting the issue of accountability, the APC pointed out the disconcerting state of affairs in Delta, where over 483.57 Billion Naira was allocated in 2023, yet the tangible impact on the state’s development remains elusive. The APC questioned the PDP governor of Delta for not justifying the allocation and pointed to the desperate plight of retirees under the PDP’s rule since 1999.
The APC took the opportunity to emphasize President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to economic transformation, acknowledging the administration’s bold reforms aimed at fostering economic recovery and sustainable growth. While acknowledging the transient difficulties, the APC urged patience from Nigerians, promising a more prosperous future as the policies take effect.
In a final call to action, the APC suggested that if the “buck stops” at the PDP governors’ table at the state level, they should lead by example and resign from their offices instead of blaming the federal administration for their failures.