Progressive Governors Forum, state governors under the platform
of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday met with
President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed-door at the Presidential
Villa, Abuja.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of
the forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, disclosed that the
meeting disclosed an array of issues such as the elections at the
National Assembly, security, economy, and accountability.
According to Mr Bagudu, the governors also commended the
president on his agricultural revolution, payment of salaries,
payment of pensions, gratuities and many others.
Mr Bagudu said: “This morning, Mr President graciously granted
audience to the Progressive Governors Forum. We came to
congratulate him on the National Assembly elections and thank him
for the confidence he has in the Progressive Governors Forum
members who participated actively in all the processes that led to
the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate President, Ovie
Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as
Speaker, and Hon. Ahmed Wase as Deputy Speaker.
“Furthermore, we used the opportunity to thank Mr President for
all he has been doing and all the successes recorded in the areas
which he campaigned upon, and by extension our party, which are
security, economy, and accountability.
“We are quite happy with his support for states where close to
N2 trillion was given in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on
federal roads, refund for Paris Club, which has helped encouraged
economic activities in the states, payment of salaries, payment of
pensions, payment of gratuities and overall investment by
infrastructural spendings.
“We are also appreciative of increased investment in
agriculture, which has been because of conscious decision to
support agriculture as a way out of economic challenges and provide
economic growth.
“We also congratulated Mr President that despite the drop in
incomes, the value for money that he insists upon has begun to pay
off in terms of more security across the country. Even though some
challenges still remain, he is working hard on that with
sincerity.
“Last and not least, we offered to work with Mr President
continuously to ensure that we increase economic performance, the
security of our country and social cohesion.
“We thank Mr President for celebrating the Democracy Day
consistent with the promise he has made, which is a major element
reflective of his democratic ideals in ensuring that an issue,
which is so important to many Nigerians, has been finally addressed
in a way that we are all happy.”
On what the governors were planning to do as the APC is now seen
to be in full control of the legislature and a number of states,
the chairman expressed optimism that there would be collaboration
across board to ensure that security across the country is
enhanced.
“Well, we as the Progressive Governors Forum will push so that
that legislation and cooperation between states and federal
government will intensify.
“We will be more active in investments in all areas that can
provide employment and incomes rapidly will increase.
“We will collaborate more to ensure that security is enhanced,
particularly when it involves state borders,” Mr Bagudu added.
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