Progressive Governors Forum, state governors under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday met with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed-door at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the forum, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi, disclosed that the meeting disclosed an array of issues such as the elections at the National Assembly, security, economy, and accountability.
According to Mr Bagudu, the governors also commended the president on his agricultural revolution, payment of salaries, payment of pensions, gratuities and many others.
Mr Bagudu said: “This morning, Mr President graciously granted audience to the Progressive Governors Forum. We came to congratulate him on the National Assembly elections and thank him for the confidence he has in the Progressive Governors Forum members who participated actively in all the processes that led to the emergence of Senator Ahmad Lawan as Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Senate President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker, and Hon. Ahmed Wase as Deputy Speaker.
“Furthermore, we used the opportunity to thank Mr President for all he has been doing and all the successes recorded in the areas which he campaigned upon, and by extension our party, which are security, economy, and accountability.
“We are quite happy with his support for states where close to N2 trillion was given in form of restructuring of loans, refunds on federal roads, refund for Paris Club, which has helped encouraged economic activities in the states, payment of salaries, payment of pensions, payment of gratuities and overall investment by infrastructural spendings.
“We are also appreciative of increased investment in agriculture, which has been because of conscious decision to support agriculture as a way out of economic challenges and provide economic growth.
“We also congratulated Mr President that despite the drop in incomes, the value for money that he insists upon has begun to pay off in terms of more security across the country. Even though some challenges still remain, he is working hard on that with sincerity.
“Last and not least, we offered to work with Mr President continuously to ensure that we increase economic performance, the security of our country and social cohesion.
“We thank Mr President for celebrating the Democracy Day consistent with the promise he has made, which is a major element reflective of his democratic ideals in ensuring that an issue, which is so important to many Nigerians, has been finally addressed in a way that we are all happy.”
On what the governors were planning to do as the APC is now seen to be in full control of the legislature and a number of states, the chairman expressed optimism that there would be collaboration across board to ensure that security across the country is enhanced.
“Well, we as the Progressive Governors Forum will push so that that legislation and cooperation between states and federal government will intensify.
“We will be more active in investments in all areas that can provide employment and incomes rapidly will increase.
“We will collaborate more to ensure that security is enhanced, particularly when it involves state borders,” Mr Bagudu added.
