Peoples Democratic Party governors in the country had berated the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, over his response to their meeting in Uyo.
The governors said Shehu was a disgrace to President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet considering his shoddy jobs.
In a statement titled, ‘Presidential Response to PDP Governors’ Forum Communique Is a Disgrace,’ signed by the Director-General of the forum, C.I.D. Maduabum, in Abuja on Thursday, the governors said the presidency lacked appreciation spirit.
“It is unbelievable that such a low-quality response could come from Nigeria’s seat of power.
“He celebrates the non-remittance of funds by 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 NNPC. It is an imposition of law.
“The constitutional provisions on Public Revenue are clear. 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”, Maduabum said.
The PDPGF also expressed sadness over the manner at which the presidential aide glossed over the economic dangers inherent in the fall of the naira against major currencies of the world, especially the United States dollar.
Maduabum said, “The implication of the fall of the naira for the cost of goods and services, including the price of food and basic needs of Nigerians is becoming unbearable for the average Nigerian.”
Meanwhile, the PDP spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiya, said: “For the avoidable of doubts, the PDP insists that our governors are responsible and responsive leaders who have always shown concerns towards the plight of Nigerians.
“It is on record that they attend to the wishes of Nigerians in their respective states and do not by any whim recourse to peddling fake news and lies like the Buhari Presidency and his All Progressives Congress.”