By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors proffered solutions to several national problems and President Muhammadu Buhari, if he really wants to fix Nigeria, should listen to sensible ideas, not haul back insults.
Director General PDP Governors’ Forum Director General, C.I.D Maduabum, made the call in a statement pointing out the errors in Buhari’s reaction to the communique the governors issued after their meeting in Uyo on June 7.
Buhari’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, on June 16 dismissed the communique as an inarticulate and baseless piece that demonstrates to voters why the PDP should not be entrusted with national leadership.
Maduabum listed his rejoinder thus:
1. Buhari’s response to the communique
Buhari, represented by Shehu, issued “a poorly worded and pedestrian statement” in response to the “patriotic and weighty issues of state” raised by the PDP Governors’ Forum.
2. Ignorance, lack of appreciation
The statement betrays the abysmal ignorance, lack of appreciation of the issues raised in the PDP communique.
“It is unbelievable that such low quality response could come from Nigeria’s seat of power.”
3. Aso Rock celebrates NNPC for breaking the law
Shehu celebrates the non-remittance of funds by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to the Federation Account because they should not “break the bank” for PDP governors. What a pity!
The duty and responsibility of NNPC to pay revenues into the Federation Account is not a matter of discretion by the NNPC. It is an imposition of law.
4. What the Constitution says about remittance
Section 162. (1) of the Constitution says: “The Federation shall maintain a special account to be called “the Federation Account” into which shall be paid all revenues collected by the Government of the Federation, except the proceeds from the personal income tax of the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry or Department of Government charged with responsibility for Foreign Affairs and the residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”
Section 162(1) defines revenue thus: “For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section, “revenue” means any income or return accruing to or derived by the Government of the Federation from any source and includes –
(a) “any receipt, however described, arising from the operation of any law;
(b) “any return, however described, arising from or in respect of any property held by the Government of the Federation;
(c) “any return by way of interest on loans and dividends in respect of shares or interest held by the Government of the Federation in any company or statutory body.”
It is a demonstration of “impunity and gross abuse of the law” for the NNPC to continue to disregard the unmistakable mandatory constitutional provisions above.
It is even more shocking for the Presidency “to embody the desecration of the Constitution in such a flippant, brazen and unserious manner as portrayed by [Shehu].”
5. Mandate for revenue generating agencies
The NNPC and other federal revenue generating agencies are mandated to pay all revenues into the Federation Account after deducting legitimate cost of operations.
Fuel subsidy or other “profligate expenditures” are not part of the cost of production.
When the NNPC makes its contributions to the Federation Account, the federal government can spend its share in a manner it desires. The NNPC cannot spend money belonging to the other tiers of government for them.
“This is the way the Constitution is designed by its authors. Buhari cannot change the Constitution at his pleasure. Perhaps these matters are too complex for Shehu to comprehend!”
6 States, councils bear brunt of social provision
States and councils bear the brunt of education, health care, water, food production, infrastructure such as roads, and increasingly the security of lives and property among others.
The share of states and councils in the Federation Account does not belong to governors. Certainly not to PDP Governors. The case made by PDP governors in their communique concerns all states and councils, not only the PDP.
7. Aso Rock celebrates naira devaluation
Shehu celebrates the fact that the naira is now over N500 to the dollar in the parallel market. “If his statement represents the thinking of the APC federal government, then we are in more trouble than we think.”
The implication of the fall of the naira for the cost of goods and services, including the price of food and basic needs, is becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian.
It has made even the recent minimum wage increases almost useless. “But of course, those ensconced in the Presidential Villa do not feel it.”
8. Mining
It is once again a demonstration of “abysmal ignorance” at the presidential level for it not to know that mining is on the Exclusive Legislative List of the federal government.
PDP Governors were merely asking for better coordination with state governments who administer land under the Land Use Act.
9. Twitter ban
Perhaps the most insensitive issue is the suspension of Twitter. How can a presidential spokesman be so tone deaf.
Shehu is unable to see the grave assault of freedom of speech embodied therein. He doesn’t see the need to motivate our youths. He trivialises serious matters of state. It is very unfortunate.
10. Herdsmen attack against farmers
Shehu “repeats his assault on the sensibility of Nigerians in the way he addresses the herders/farmers conflict.”
Calling the legitimate request for ramping up ranching as a denial of the right of Nigerians to live and work anywhere in Nigeria, is perhaps “the most illogical of the entire response.”
11. Buhari flexes his muscles against states
Buhari has not initiated a single legislation or amendment of the Constitution to make local government a real third-tier of government, “if the APC government so desires.”
He only flexes his muscles against state governments “by issuing unconstitutional orders” through federal agencies.
13. Buhari’s spokesmen, his greatest undoing
There is no doubt that Buhari’s spokespersons are his “greatest undoing” as President. “They do not represent or position him well.”
14. Patriotic, well-thought out solutions
The PDP Governors’ Forum communique in Uyo was “patriotic, well-thought out” and offered solutions to the myriad of problems facing the nation.
Buhari and the federal government led by the APC “should listen.”
