PDP govs meet in Ibadan, canvass constitutional amendment, devolution of more powers to states

PDP Governor's Forum meet

The governors, under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, have called for the need for President Muhammadu Buhari to initiate an Executive Bill for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

The call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its consultative meeting held in Ibadan, on Monday.

The six-point communiqué was read by the Chairman of the forum, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

The governors said that the bill should propose an allocation of more powers to the states, with respect to security arrangements, culminating in some form of state police and the general security architecture.

The communiqué said that the meeting reviewed the state of the nation, particularly the practical next steps to take to advance the conversation on the security and economic situations of the country.

“Mr President should summon an immediate meeting of Nigerian Police Council, comprising the president, governors, and other critical stakeholders to evolve and implement strategies to combat the present threats to our union especially, with respect to policing.

“The meeting agreed that the Police Force still remains the appropriate institution to secure our democracy and should not be subjected to personal attacks.

“The welfare, training, equipment, and funding of all security agencies should be given priority.

“The meeting supports the earlier position taken by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Northern Governors’ Forum, and recently, Southern Governors’ Forum to adopt ranching as the most viable solution to the herders’ and farmers’ clashes in Nigeria,” it said.

The governors also called for restructuring of the country, devolution of more powers and functions to states, and reform of various civil institutions to achieve efficiency and equity for all sections of the federation.

“The meeting enjoins all Nigerians to work together to achieve peace and harmony with one another, devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity, religions and other cleavages,’’ the communiqué stated.

The forum further urged the Federal Government to take bold and deliberate steps to de-escalate and lower the tensions in the country and concentrate on projects and policies that would enhance and promote national unity and cohesion.

It further called on the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Electoral Act that would ensure free and fair elections, including provisions for electronic accreditation and electronic transmission of votes.

The forum congratulated the host governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, for the many landmark development projects he had executed in Oyo State since his assumption of office.

The meeting had in attendace the Chairman of the forum and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom; Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri; Akwa Ibom State governor, Emmanuel Udom; Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa and Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Others were Adamawa State governor, Umar Fintiri; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki; Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and Deputy Governor of Zamfara, Mahdi Mohammad, who represented Gov. Bello Matawalle.

ALSO READ: Southern govs ban open grazing, ask Buhari to address Nigerians