Economy: APC, PDP Governors Clash Over Buhari’s Performance

 

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and their opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts Tuesday disagreed over President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s performance on the economy.

The APC governors commended Buhari for “efficiently” managing the economy.

They said this had led to giant strides in the execution of major national projects, including the revival of railways, the Second Niger Bridge, the Ajaokuta Steel and road projects across all parts of the country, among many others.

“The efficient management of the economy has strengthened the capacity of the Federal Government to control the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic,” they said, in a communiqué signed by the Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Atiku Bagudu, after their emergency teleconference meeting.

The APC governors expressed their resolve and commitment to supporting Buhari and other party leaders to expedite delivery of all electoral promises made in the build up to the 2019 general election.

But in their reaction, the PDP governors faulted the APC governors’ claims, alleging that the economy was worse under Buhari.

Speaking through the Director-General of the forum, CID Maduabum, the opposition governors said the economy was “far better off” during the 16-year reign of the PDP.

“What was the debt profile in 2015 when the PDP handed over to the APC?

“What is the debt profile now?

“They are talking about effectively managing the economy.

“Has the standard of living of Nigerians improved?

“Is it in terms of exchange rate?

“Is it in terms of increase in fuel price?

“Is it in terms of the hike in electricity tariff?

“Is it in terms of educational advancement?

“What exactly are they talking about?

“So, when you look at all these, it is left for you to determine whether the APC has managed the economy well or not.

“Nigerians are alive and they are seeing what is happening with the economy.

“So, it is left for them to judge,” the PDPGF said.

The APC governors, in the communique, also said the Executive and Legislative Tripartite Consultative Committee recently set up by Buhari would enhance the capacity of APC to resolve all political challenges in the interest of democracy.

The communique reads in part: “Forum members unanimously re-affirm commitment to continue to support President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, APC and all our party leaders to expedite delivery of all our electoral promises to Nigerians.

“We commend the federal government for successfully getting the UK Commercial Court to order stay of execution, which also suspends any penalty against Nigeria in respect of the $9.6 billion Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) debt judgement against Nigeria. It’s a victory for all Nigerians.”