Minister Faults PDP Governors On Economy

Federal government has faulted the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) governors’ claims on the economy, saying the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate and the nation has begun to see stability.

The governors met in Bauchi State and addressed a press conference, where their chairman, Bala Mohammed, read out their position on the country’s economic and security situation.

However, in a statement yesterday in Abuja signed by the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said it was mischievous to falsely compare the nation’s current economic challenges to Venezuela.

He said, “We welcome their call for a bipartisan approach to solving our nation’s economic and security problems.

“As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.”

Idris said as leaders in the country who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

He noted that it is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela. ”

Idris said, “We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela,” he said.

He stressed that the Nigerian economy is still very strong and is expected to record a 3 per cent GDP growth this year.

He said the economy is meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.

“The Central Bank is addressing the problem of volatility in the exchange rate, and we are beginning to see stability that will eventually lead to the naira gaining its actual value against the dollar and other convertible currencies.

“We urge the PDP Governors to join their colleagues in the Nigerian Governors Forum, who are collaborating with President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to revamp our economy for Nigerians’ collective well-being,” he said.

Idris said the Nigerian government is running effectively, and our government can pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.

“While opposition politicians are expected to play politics, it should be done within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts.

“It is unconscionable of PDP Governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about our country’s true state of affairs,” he said.