Metro

APC Destroyed Nigerian Economy, All Institutions Built For 16 Years – PDP Governors

Published

1 year ago

July 17, 2024

Governor elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PPD, have accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of running down the nation’s economy and inflicting untold hardship on Nigerians.

The governors, under the umbrella body of PDP Governors, expressed dismay and grave concern over what they called “unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC-led federal government”.

They frowned at the long delay in the minimum wage negotiations.

Rising from a meeting hosted by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, the governors welcomed the autonomy granted Local Government Councils, and said that they believe in the efficacy of the Local Government system which ensures that governance is taken closer to the people as enshrined in the constitution.

The Forum also frowned at what it called the destruction of good institutions and developments put in place by the party when it was in power at the federal level by the ruling APC.

The Forum expressed strong support for the Governor of Rivers State in his political battle and said that a political solution that would bring peace to the state would be initiated.

A communique from the meeting read by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State said:
“The meeting deliberated on a wide range of issues bordering on critical national interest. The unprecedented hardship faced by the majority of Nigerians as a result of the dismal performance of the APC led federal government, the minimum wage negotiations and the recurring issue of intergovernmental relations with special reference to local government autonomy and funding.

Following an exhaustive discussion and consultations with all the organs of the party as you can see here, the national Working committee of the party.

Upcoming congresses

“In the spirit of the founding fathers of our great party who adopted internal democracy as a fundamental principle on which our party was built, the congresses leading to the elections of the party leaders at the various tiers must be all-inclusive, transparent, fair and in compliance with the constitution of our party. To ensure the successful conduct of the congresses of the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory”.

Off-season election.

“Of the off-season elections in Edo and Ondo, the Forum admonishes all parties in the election to ensure that campaigns are issue-based, violence-free and in strict compliance with the provision of the electoral act. The forum urges the Independent Electoral Commission INEC to provide a level playing field that guarantees transparent, fair and peaceful elections as any act of bias will be resisted. The forum urges the president to show leadership as a true democrat by refraining from making any statement suggesting political interference in the entire process”.

The economy

“The Forum notes with dismay and grave concern the mismanagement of the economy by the APC led federal government”.

The Minimum wage

“The Minimum wage negotiations are becoming unduly protracted in the face of the attendant unprecedented hardship and impoverishment of the people. The forum resolves as follows: The Labour’s demand for a substantial salary raise is eminently justified and therefore commands total support of the forum. While the forum supports Labour’s demand, agreement must take into consideration the ability to pay by the sub-nationals, the federal government and the third tier of government.

“While negotiations are ongoing, we appeal for restraint in both utterances and actions that could lead to a complete breakdown of law and order and ultimately the collapse of the economy”.

Supreme court ruling on LG autonomy

“The forum believes in the efficacy of the local government system which ensures that governance comes closer to the people as provided in the constitution. The forum will also support the autonomy of the local government as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Restoring the Nation’s Past Glory

“The forum regrets that the 16 years of the tremendous development of the PDP-led federal government during which the country with single-digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living by the majority of Nigerians has been eroded during the lifespan of the lacklustre APC led federal government.

“The forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days of low inflation rates, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI influx resulting in high Naira value and great quality of human life that was recorded.

“In that regard, the meeting commended the Governors of the PDP-controlled states for their innovative approach to governance in many fields, especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects across the country.

“The forum notes the crisis in Rivers State of the party and commits to supporting the governor of Rivers State and also resolved that the issue could be done through the political solution that will be required and other measures that all the leaders of the organs of the party will be committed so that we can go together and resolve this issue with minimal friction, division or rancour.

“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from any anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027”.

Earlier the chairman of the Forum described the meeting as “an extraordinary meeting of the PDP Governors Forum and some of our major stakeholders, including our National Working Committee and various organs of the party. This meeting is very unique and auspicious because we are here to showcase our history as a party. We have been leading in this country as a party. We have all the structures established before the commencement of the APC administration”.

The governors in attendance were Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo, Umo Eno of Akwa-Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Godwin Obaseki of Edo, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, Agbu Kefas of Taraba, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara, and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, and the host governor, Peter Mbah.

Also in attendance were the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara and the Acting National Chairman of the party, represented by the Deputy National Chairman, South, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, former governor of Kaduna State and former Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, and former governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu.

Metro

Man To Face Trial For Child Theft In Anambra

Published

1 hour ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 63-year-old female suspect, Ngozi Muotuanya, from the Awkuzu-Oba area of the state, for alleged child theft.

It was gathered that the suspect, who is also suspected of being a kingpin of an interstate child trafficking syndicate, was said to have allegedly stolen a male child, aged about one year, in Minna, Niger State, and sold him to an unsuspecting member of the public in Anambra State.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that operatives attached to the Oba Division arrested the suspect on Monday after credible intelligence gathering.

Ikenga stated that the command had relayed the information about the custodian of the child to the Niger State Police Command for possible recovery and reunion with the parents and other necessary action.

The statement read in part, “In a decisive move to unravel the mysterious disappearance of children in the state, especially in Oba and its environs, police operatives attached to the Oba Division on August 11, 2025, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended one Ngozi Muotuanya, female, of Awkuzu-Oba, aged 63 years.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that sometime in 2024, the suspect allegedly stole a male child, aged about one year, in Minna, Niger State, and sold him to an unsuspecting member of the public in Anambra State.

“The said suspect later resold the child to another person.

“However, on August 4, 2025, the receiver, upon realising that the child was stolen, returned him to the principal suspect.

“The suspect, in turn, allegedly abandoned the child at an unascertained church in Minna, where he was rescued by the leader of the Igbo Community in Minna.”

According to him, the command has relayed information about the custodian of the child in Minna to the Niger State Police Command for possible recovery and reunification with his parents and other necessary action.

“The suspect shall be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka, for discreet investigation and prosecution,” the statement concluded.

Metro

JUST IN: Court Discharges Ibom Air Passenger

Published

3 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

An Ikeja Magistrate Court sitting in
Ogba, Lagos State on Wednesday, discharged Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour and assault aboard an Ibom Air flight.

Magistrate Olanrewaju Salami discharged Emmason following the withdrawal of the five charges preferred against her by the police.

Earlier, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, (SAN), announced the decisions following consultations with stakeholders in the aviation sector.

According to the minister, the resolutions were reached after reviewing the incidents, considering appeals from well-meaning individuals, and considering the remorse shown by those involved.

Keyamo revealed that Ibom Air has agreed to withdraw its complaint against Emmanson, who was arrested over the August 10 incident.

Emmason was arraigned on Monday before the court and after being granted bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum, she was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre as she couldn’t meet her bail conditions.

At the resumed hearing of the case,the prosecution, Oluwabunmi Adeitan, informed the court that there were new developments that necessitated the withdrawal of the case.

She tendered application to court for the withdrawal of the case, which was admitted by the court.

Details later…

Metro

Man Dies After Being Accidentally Pinned By Overweight Partner

Published

4 hours ago

August 13, 2025

Editor

What began as an ordinary night in a quiet Porto neighbourhood ended in a tragedy so rare, even seasoned investigators called it “unusual.”

The Daily Mail, quoting Portuguese newspaper Correio da Manhã, reported that the incident occurred at the couple’s home in Campanhã, Porto. While the report was published on August 12, 2025, it did not mention the exact day the incident took place.

In the early hours, a 59-year-old man was fatally pinned beneath his partner after she slipped while getting out of bed. He had been lying close to the wall on the floor when she tumbled, accidentally trapping him in a position that cut off his breathing.

Neighbours, jolted awake by her frantic screams, rushed into the room.

“It took five men to lift her off him,” one neighbour told local reporters. “We were pulling, shouting, trying everything, but it was too late.”

Emergency responders arrived within minutes, but resuscitation efforts failed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police confirmed there was no foul play.

“It’s been categorised as an accidental asphyxia,” a police source said. “It’s a very unusual death, but there was no criminal intent. It was a stumble by the woman as she got out of bed and tried to move closer to her partner, who was lying on the floor, that led to what happened.”

The couple had been together for years, though never formally married. Friends described them as “inseparable,” often seen at the same corner café sharing coffee and conversation.

“She’s completely shattered,” another neighbour said quietly. “She keeps saying she wishes she could take his place. No one should have to carry that kind of guilt.”

Authorities say the woman is receiving psychological support to help her cope with the shock and grief.

For locals, the tragedy is a reminder that even in the most familiar spaces, life can change in the blink of an eye.