By David Lawani, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has told the newly-sworn in governors of the party to be committed and adhere strictly to the manifesto of the party.
He said he is aware that the issues in the states are different and peculiar.
Adamu, who received the governors at the party’s national secretariat yesterday evening, said he was particularly happy that they have been elected, but that the task now is how to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people who are waiting patiently for them, including those who voted for, and who didn’t.
The governors used the occasion to formally introduce the new Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
He assured them that they will continue to enjoy the support of the party, wishing them a great and wonderful time serving their people across the country.
He said: “It has been our intention to have the opportunity of receiving our governors immediately after the gubernatorial and state Houses of Assembly elections. But immediately after those elections, our President-elect, as he then was, traveled abroad, and he was away for about five weeks.
“To have an important meeting as that of the governors and the party, we thought it advisable that he was on the ground before holding the meeting. By the time he came back, the space was agog with the issue of sharing of power in the National Assembly, and it took the winds off our sails.
“So, we got engaged trying to see how best we can reach some understanding, and before we got over that, we had inaugural activities, and we are better placed now to settle down, to invite our governors.”
The national chairman added, “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 flag of the party; and it is expected that whatever you do, you will have in mind the manifesto that the party gives the country.
“You as the chief executive officers of the states 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.”
According to him, “We are in a very difficult moment, and you have come at a very difficult period. Even with the timing of the lifting of the fuel subsidy, this is going to be very especially challenging to us, particularly to you, because you are 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 the people 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.
“As far as the party is concerned, we will give you every cooperation you need. If you have any problem, turn to us, and we will give you the best advice we can. But whatever we do with you, you are the one wearing the shoes and know where it pinches.
“Two years are for actual governance. Before you know it, you will finish with the tribunals, it will be getting to two years and you will start seeing posters and billboards flying newspaper publications. This is a tradition in our democracy, fortunately, or unfortunately. We must be ready for that. So, you have no time to waste.”
Adamu also noted, “Fortunately, you are lucky to have a president who will listen to you. He has come with the same urge, the same desire to deliver. So, you are lucky. But whatever you do, do not forget that you will bear your cross. You will bear your cross. We will not as a party stand in your way of a good programme. If someone does so, please draw our attention so that we will stop it.”
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the newly-elected chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, Senator Hope Uzodimma said that all the presidential candidates during the campaigns before the election said they will remove the subsidy, saying there is no big deal about the removal.
According to the governor, “As a forum, we are committed to the ideals of the government that is also our party. Because the Federal Government belongs to the APC. It is an APC-led government.
“And everything that is contained in the manifesto of our great party during our campaigns is meant to be done and carried out…On the issue of fuel subsidy, all the presidential candidates during the campaigns, promised that they will remove fuel subsidy.
“The incumbent government, before he left, made us know that fuel subsidies are no longer sustainable. What we are talking about now is the implementation process. How to implement the programme in a manner that will not be too hard on the people. And I think the government is working on it,” the governor said.
On the issue of the National Assembly leadership, Uzodimma noted: “I have confidence in the ability of the current president to navigate through the waters and take decisions that will be in the best interest of our people and the country at large”
“The president has not made a proclamation for the National Assembly leadership to be inaugurated. And, of course, you know, the APC is the majority party. At the right time, the party continues to convince and talk to stakeholders. And collectively, the issues will be resolved,” he explained.
A total of about 10 governors were in attendance at the meeting with the national chairman of the party.
