APC Govs have sanctioned autonomy for judiciary, legislature – Kebbi Gov, Bagudu

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Governors elected on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), have agreed to grant financial autonomy to the judiciary and the legislative arm of government in their various States.

The Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, who is the chairman of the APC Governors, commonly identified as Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), disclosed this while briefing journàlists after a meeting of the governors of the party in Abuja.

According to him, “We started by commending the committee we assigned with the responsibility of navigating on our behalf on the autonomy for legislature and judiciary.

“The Forum commended the Committee, its work and outcome. We want to restate that as a forum we are committed to its implementation as agreed with all”.

Governor Bagudu also said the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), led by Governor Mai Mala Buni, had submitted the timetable for the party’s National convention to President Muhammadu Buhari, assuring that once he approved, the convention would hold.

“We considered the timetable and we have made some inputs particularly to comply with the Electoral Law and the party’s Constitution. Remember we (PGF) are just one organ of the party (though a very important organ), but we advised the Caretaker Committee to ensure that they consult with all, so that at the end of the day, the final output will be such that all party members will be happy.

“There is a proposal before Mr. President and once he approves it, the National Caretaker Committee will announce the date”, he said.

He said “the PGF also took report from the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State and we commended the Caretaker Committee under his able leadership for all the successes recorded by the party, particularly that on daily basis people are joining the party.

“Even in the last few months, we had former Gov. Gbenga Daniel, the Governors of Ebonyi State and Cross River State, former Speaker, members of the National and State Assemblies, many illustrious citizens of Nigeria and we are still counting.

“This is a testament to the fact that APC is Nigeria’s preferred party. It is the party Nigerians will continue to aspire and continue to be proud of. We also appreciate the successes recorded despite the constraints of limited economy.

“We equally discussed the time table for our congresses and we reviewed the security situation and acknowledged some of the challenges, as well as the successes achieved. We also acknowledged the constraints of the economy and the successes that are being achieved.

“We noted that Mr. President visited Lagos to commission the Lagos/Ibadan railway, the Deep Sea Project and other items provided by Lagos State Governor to enhance the security of Lagos State. Just yesterday, Mr. President commissioned the backbone of the 7th Strand of the NLNG. We believe these are among many other legacy projects that will continue to bring more income for the country.”

Meanwhile, at the meeting, all but one APC Governors were in attendance, as the Deputy Governor of Cross River State stood in for Governor Ben Ayade.