Things are not easy for ordinary Nigerians says NGF chairman
Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi says they are not oblivious of the economic challenges of citizens of Nigeria.
Fayemi stated that their role as NGF was to ensure that they cooperated with the Federal Government to ensure citizens enjoy dividends of democracy.
He bemoaned the efforts of those he described as criminals for attempting to frustrate government and sabotaging oil production.
The NGF chairman made this disclosure on Wednesday during his first working visit to Gombe State, where he was received at the Government House by Governor Muhammadu Yahaya.
Speaking on the role of governors in stabilising the economy, Fayemi said their role is to support the president, while describing the moment of the country’s existence as challenging times.
Fayemi said, “Support him (president) to get over this challenging times. There are both internal and external challenges, internal in the way and manner the volume of our oil production has gone down due to some deliberate attempt on the part of criminals to frustrate the national efforts. In ensuring that we maximise production at a time that the price of oil is very attractive in the international. We have not been able to take advantage due to the limited production.
“On the other hand the war going on in Ukraine which has affected food prices because we get some of the food items particularly wheat from Ukraine. So, production of bread and other staple have suffered tremendously and inflation has affected things. The president is working on all force while we as governor’s have to collaborate with him to improve the economy because things are not easy for ordinary Nigerians and all of us are feeling the pains of the moment. We owe it a duty to meet demand of our office which is security and welfare.”
Fayemi, commenting on speculations that he may declare for the post of president for the 2023 elections, he stressed that the moment is a spiritual season.
“For us in Christendom this is the period of lent and for people of the Muslim faith this is Ramadan very rarely does the two come together this is a period that requires sober reflection. The period is of deep thinking and should not be a period of political declaration. Whether I’m going to run or not it is a matter of conjecture. What I will appeal to you to do is to wait until after this spiritual season. I think it will be disrespectful to start playing that politics,” Fayemi added.
On his part, Governor Yahaya lauded the efforts of the NGF chairman, adding that Gombe state has become a home to people from neighbouring states.
He stated that his administration has provided succour to displaced persons, by making the state conducive.
Yahaya said, “As at the last count about 75,000 families are settled in Gombe. I don’t think if an opportunity comes they will still think of going back.
“I want to assure you that our party is in control and I believe that through the support we are getting from Mr president, we can get to any level you want us to.”
