Desist from dictatorial acts, progressive govs warn FG

 

Governors on the platform of the All Progressive Congress have asked the Federal Government to desist from dictatorial acts capable of adding more pains to the suffering of Nigerians.

The governors, under the aegis of The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, said that Nigerians had already borne a lot of pains and agony arising from government failure to meet their basic needs despite being asked to be patient and make sacrifices over the years.

The PGF position was contained in their Eid-el-Kabir message, signed by its Director General, Salihu Mohammed Lukman.

The PGF said: “We also wish to call on the federal government to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and shun all dictatorial tendencies such as the arbitrary sealing of the Adamawa State Government lodge in Abuja.

“The PGF not only finds this attitude condemnable but also demands the immediate opening of the lodge to enable it conduct its normal business.

“Similarly, the PGF notes with concern, several acts of intimidation of opposition parties by the state government and the PDP in Delta State in the recent run-off election.

“This is a very dangerous trend that cannot be allowed to continue because it has grave consequences on our democracy. Freedom of choice and right of association, which are enshrined in our Constitution and must therefore be allowed to flourish, and not sacrificed for undue electoral advantage.

“We call on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to allow Nigerians to freely and fairly elect candidates of their choice in every part of the country.

“One of the most important lessons of Eid-el-Kabir is the need for patience and sacrifice. However, it is the view of the PGF that Nigerians have been asked to make painful sacrifices too often without anything to show for their patience.

“For that reason, it is time for Nigerians to demand better service, accountability and recompense for years of patience. It is our position that any government that fails to be accountable to the electorates has lost its legitimacy.

“Sadly, Nigerians have been compelled to deal with lack of services, which has made life unbearable for all Nigerians and the resultant worsening security, poverty and unemployment situations in the country.