The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has donated the sum of N100 million to victims of the recent Plateau State crisis and has also advocated for the decentralization of the security apparatus in the country to enhance good governance by having state police.
The Chairman of the Forum, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, who made the donation on behalf of the PDP Governors during a condolence visit to Governor Caleb Muftwang at the Government House in Jos, Plateau State, applauded the security agencies for doing their best, adding that the ratio between citizens and policing is very low.
“We are just being very honest with ourselves. We are not just indicting and discriminating against the Nigerian police or security. They are doing their best, but certainly the ratio between citizens or policing is very low, and the states know the familiarities of their states, local governments, and their towns and villages.
“So we have always been advocating for state police. There is no distance between the governors at the national level, but we need to get some decentralization of the security apparatus so that we can enhance good governance by having good state police. And again, that would give us the opportunity to engage the structure for the security agencies to train our youths and also make sure the rules of engagement are not abused, there are no extrajudicial killings, and so on and so forth.”
He further mentioned that this will enable the governors to work with established practices globally rather than forcing them to be vigilant, adding that even with the vigilante, the governors are involving the security agencies, despite the fact that the governors are still being accused.
“We have seen what happened in Zamfara, Katsina, and other places. This is good to go because Nigerians want to sleep with their eyes closed, and the PDP, as the party, has always advocated for good governance. We have no option other than to show the difference between beans and rice. That’s what we are trying to do to make sure we bring projects and programs and good governance with the little resources we have, even though we may not get special intervention, but we are doing our best with the little at our disposal.”
Speaking earlier during the visit, Governor Mohammed commended Governor Muftwang for the way and manner in which he handled the recent crisis in the state and assured him of the PDP governors support.
“We will be with you to support you because we know that you are not sentimental, you don’t show any signs, and because we have looked at all the issues on the ground, we urge you to be strong and to continue to dispense the good leadership that the PDP governors are known for.”
Responding, Governor Muftwang thanked the governors for their show of support, adding that the issues confronting Plateau State are not entirely peculiar to the state but have become almost a national challenge.
He narrated that the situation inherited by his administration was so pathetic that one could be tempted to think that the perpetrators of the insecurity were even being supervised by the state, adding that this has emboldened them to continue to unleash terror on innocent citizens.
He said, “We are not deterred. We are also trying to ensure that we build inter- and intra-community harmony. One thing I have said consistently since becoming governor is that nobody can do it alone. We need unity across the divides of faith and across the divides of ethnicity. If we don’t achieve it, it’s going to be difficult for the country to be secure.
“So I’ve always advocated that we must do our best to ensure that we rebuild trust amongst our peoples. Because it is a breakdown of trust that has allowed a lot of these criminals to find hiding places amongst us.
“Also, the PDP becomes the party to be reckoned with. And of course, being in opposition, we don’t have an option but to deliver on the dividends of democracy. That is going to be our selling point, and I believe that Nigerians have always trusted the PDP.”
The Governors on the condolence visit include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke of Osun State, Governor Fintiri of Adamawa State and Governor Obaseki of Edo state.