Governors Pray For Buhari’s Second Term, Praise Him For Being Fair To All Of Them

Governors of 36 States of Nigeria have offered prayer for the return of Present Muhammadu Buhari for second term in the 2019 election.
The governors,who attended a special session of the National Economic Council (NEC) today, Friday praises the Present for not discriminating against any of them irrespective of party affiliation.
Speaking to news men shortly after the meeting, chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulaziz Yari said: “we came here today to thank Mr. President because in bailing out states he did not discriminate along party lines unlike in those days when you can only get audience with Mr. President if you have long leg before the issue will be raised with Minister of Finance.
“He knew that Nigerians were going to be beneficiaries of the bail out not governors. We believe without this mindset, it would have been difficult for us to govern.
“So we appreciate what he has done and we prayed for him that he will succeed to return for a second term.”
Governor Yari said that the governors came together today to rounded up the last economic council of the year, adding that they had an extended NEC to deliberate on the key issues of the economy, human capital development with focus on health and nutrition, education and workforce.
“Many issues were discussed and points were raised on the way forward because it’s not all about discussing but to also have implementation plan on ground.
“Since all the speakers spoke on health and nutrition, education and workforce, the issue of funding must be discussed as well because it is critical in the implementation plan.
“So we resolved that in the first quarter of 2019, even though it is an election year, we will not shy away from carrying out our responsibility of taking care of the interest of the next generation.
“We intend to discuss on our new way of generating revenue so that human capital development can be financed with these new sources of revenue. At our next NEC meeting, this will be discussed, digested and explained to the general public.”
On the meeting with President Buhari, Governor Yari of Zamfara State recalled so many issues that have been raised since 2015, especially on budget support, bailout fund, Paris London Club refund and infrastructure development funds.
“When Mr. President came on board, 27 states out of 36 could not pay salaries some for 13, 12, 8, 5 months respectively. Our first encounter with him, he told us that we have no business of being in power if we cannot do the basic, that is pay workers.
“So he asked that we discussed how we can support those states that cannot pay salaries so that workers will be paid. Those in the position then came up with the idea of bailing out the states so that they can pay the arrears.
“But paying the arrears was not enough because the performance of the economy at that time could not sustain the current salaries, that was how he paid the London Paris Club in batches until we exited last month. The payment of London Paris Club has been lingering for the past 12 years.”