The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) wishes to congratulate all Nigerians on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir, and to urge all citizens to think deeply about the teachings of our various religions, our relationship with God and the need to rededicate ourselves further to serve our collective humanity.
One of the most important lessons of Eid-el-Kabir is the need for patience and sacrifice. However, it is the view of the PGF that Nigerians have been asked to make painful sacrifices too often without anything to show for their patience. For that reason, it is time for Nigerians to demand better service, accountability and recompense for years of patience. It is our position that any government that fails to be accountable to the electorates has lost its legitimacy.
Sadly, Nigerians have been compelled to deal with lack of services, which has made life unbearable for all Nigerians and the resultant worsening security, poverty and unemployment situations in the country. Without question, any form of celebrations at this time should be marked by thoughts about our fellow countrymen and women that have lost their lives or livelihoods to one form of avoidable conflicts or disasters.
The PGF appreciates that times are particularly difficult, and calls on Nigerians not to despair; hope is around the corner. We pledge to work with Nigerians towards finding and implementing policies that promote security of lives and property, employment generation and stimulation of economic activity so that all Nigerians would benefit from our human and materials resources and convert potentials to real benefits.
We also wish to call on the federal government to imbibe the spirit of tolerance and shun all dictatorial tendencies such as the arbitrary sealing of the Adamawa State Government lodge in Abuja. The PGF not only finds this attitude condemnable but also demands the immediate opening of the lodge to enable it conduct its normal business.
Similarly, the PGF notes with concern, several acts of intimidation of opposition parties by the state government and the PDP in Delta State in the recent run-off election. This is a very dangerous trend that cannot be allowed to continue because it has grave consequences on our democracy. Freedom of choice and right of association, which are enshrined in our Constitution and must therefore be allowed to flourish, and not sacrificed for undue electoral advantage. We call on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to allow Nigerians to freely and fairly elect candidates of their choice in every part of the country.
Finally, the PGF assures Nigerians that we feel your pain and suffering and pledge to do everything we can within our powers to promote open and transparent governance at all levels, and work to develop our country based on policies and programmes that would promote security, end poverty, create jobs, guarantee the rights of every Nigerian as contained in the laws of the land.
