Uzodimma Emerges PGF Chairman

THE National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has charged governors elected on the party’s platform to adhere to its manifesto.

Speaking on Wednesday in Abuja when the party’s governors under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) met with the National Working Committee (NWC).

He stated: “For us, anything that we will want to say to you is adherence to the manifesto as much as you can. We have a general framework for the governance of the country and you represent those who fly the party’s flag.

“It is expected that whatever you do, you will have in mind the manifesto that the party gave the country, as chief executive officers of states, you must key into this manifesto.

“But there are peculiarities; there are priorities you must have set and you are bound to do as much as you can to meet the expectations of those who voted for us.”

Adamu noted that the party and the country were in a very difficult moment, saying the governors had visited at a very difficult period, with regards to the lifting of the fuel subsidy, adding that the period would be very challenging, particularly to the governors, because they were where it matters most.

“From national politics, you are the shock absorbers in the various states of the federation, you live with the people, you wake up with them and you work with them.

“The expectation is that you could have a better appreciation of their pains as citizens of this country. So, a lot of expectations will be on you as governors of the federating units of this great country,” he said.

He assured them that the party’s leadership would continue to give them the needed cooperation, noting: “If you have any problem, turn to us and we will give you the best advice as we can. But whatever we do with you, you are the ones wearing the shoes and know where it pinches.”

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the news Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) for the next four years, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said they were committed to the party’s idea and manifesto and the federal government under it.

Uzodinma, who emerged at a joint meeting of immediate past governors, re-elected governors and newly-elected governors, held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 in Abuja and succeeded former governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, noted that everything contained in the party’s manifesto during its campaigns were meant to be done and carried out.

On the removal of fuel subsidy, as announced by Tinubu in his inauguration speech, Uzodimma recalled that all presidential candidates during the campaigns committed to remove fuel subsidy.

“President, Muhammadu Buhari, before he left, made us to know that fuel subsidy was no longer sustainable. What we are talking about now is the implementation process.”

He assured that the Tinubu administration was working out ways to implement the fuel subsidy removal to cushion the effect on the people, adding: “I have confidence in the ability of the President to navigate through the waters and take decisions that will be in the best interest of our people and the country as a nation.”

Some of the governors at the meeting include Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Abduallahi Sule (Nasarawa); Mohammed Bago (Niger); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe); Nasir Idris (Kebbi) and Dapo Abiodum (Ogun).

  Sani emerged as Vice Chairman of the Forum, while Dr. Abdulkadir Mayere, a former permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture was appointed as the Director General.