In a meeting on Wednesday, state governors revealed they are collaborating with the federal government to provide relief measures, or “palliatives,” to Nigerians after the removal of fuel subsidies.
The details of these plans are being finalized, according to the Imo state Governor and chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors Forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
The gathering of APC governors followed the resignation of the APC’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, as well as National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
Governor Uzodinma stated that both resignations were voluntary and expressed gratitude for their service.
He said, “We deliberated on so many issues as they have to do with our party, the APC. You must have heard of the resignation of the National Chairman of our party and the National Secretary of our party. Those are voluntary actions that have been taken and with due respect to our former National Chairman and the Secretary, we commended the wisdom behind the action they have taken. They served us well in the party and we are happy with their services and the party is united. There is no crisis in the party. They are happy and we also are happy and we are in support of their actions.”
Speaking further he said the lifting of fuel subsidies is expected to increase the funds available to states from the Federation Account.
Uzodinma stated, “On the upcoming FAAC, we are aware that as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, it will increase the volume of money that will be received in our purses during the Federation Account meeting and we are working with the Federal Government to ensure that it is utilized in a manner that the citizens are happy and the economy of the country will be protected. The current hardship occasioned by the price increase is being addressed. The subnational governments are working with the federal government and on Thursday there will be a meeting of the National Economic Council to cross the “I” and dot the “t’s”.”
He assured that the state governments are coordinating with the federal government to use the additional funds to alleviate the economic hardship brought about by the price increase.
The National Economic Council will convene on Thursday to finalize these plans.
Among the participants of the meeting at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, were key APC governors, including Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, Umar Bago of Niger, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, among others.
