We Are Working With Fed Govt On Palliatives For Nigerian – APC Governors

All Progressives Congress (APC) governors yesterday said they were in the final stages of plans with the Federal Government in providing post-fuel subsidy removal palliatives to Nigerians.

The Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Imo state Governor Hope Uzodimma, who spoke with reporters after their meeting in Abuja, said the governors noted the hardship arising from subsidy removal.

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He also said that after reviewing the resignation of former APC National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, the governors noted that the actions of the two leaders were voluntary.

Uzodimma admitted that the removal of fuel subsidy has increased the revenue base of the Federation Account to be shared by the federal, State, and local governments.

He said: “On the upcoming FAAC, we are aware that as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, it will increase the volume of money that will be received in our purses during the Federation Account meeting and we are working with the Federal Government to ensure that it is utilized in a manner that the citizens are happy and the economy of the country will be protected.

“The current hardship occasioned by the price increase is being addressed. The sub-national governments are working with the Federal Government and on Thursday, there will be a meeting of the National Economic Council to cross the ‘I’ and dot the ‘t’s.”

On Adamu’s resignation, the Imo governor said: “We deliberated on so many issues as they have to do with our party, the APC. You must have heard of the resignation of the national chairman of the party and the national secretary of our party. Those are voluntary actions that have been taken with due respect to our former national chairman and the secretary. We commended the wisdom behind the action they have taken. They served us well at the party and we are happy with their services and the party is united. There is no crisis in the party. They are happy and we also are happy and we are in support of their actions.”

At the meeting hosted by Uzodimma were Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun state); Umar Bago (Niger); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara); Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia (Benue); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); Dikko Radda (Katsina); Bassey Otu (Cross River) and Acting Ondo state Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa.