By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has said the Nigerian Governors expect to have more resources allocated to them by the Federal Government through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), adding that this will mean more resources deployed to the people at the State and grassroots levels.
Speaking to journàlists after a meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Governors meeting at the Imo State Governor’s lodge yesterday night, Uzodinma said this is because of the removal of subsidy on fuel, which he said has freed up more resources to be deployed to the poor Nigerians at the subnational levels.
He said “we decided to deal with the controversial social media posting of our upcoming FAAC. We are aware that the result of the removal of fuel subsidy will increase the volume of money that would be received by us during the Federation Account meeting and we are working with the Federal government to ensure that the proceed of that FAAC will be utilised in a manner that the citizens of the country are happy, the Labour is happy.
“And also the Economy of the country would be protected, our economic managers supported to ensure that our economy is supported. The margin is not tempered with here, it is within the International market. So what has happened is something that we should be happy about.
“The current hardship occasioned by the price increase on both food, petroleum products and cost of living is being addressed. The sub national government is working with the Federal government and tomorrow, there would be National Executive Council to discuss further on that.”
Speaking also on the recent resignation of the former chairman of APC, Uzodinma said “I am sure you must have heard about the voluntary resignation of our former National chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, which I am also aware that some of you are anxious to know what is going on in our party and the country.
“But we deliberated on so many issues that have to do with our party, the APC. You must have heart of the resignation of the National Chairman of our party and the National Secretary of the party. Those are voluntary actions that have been taken and with due respect to our national chairman, our secretary.
“We commended the wisdom in what they have done and they served us well in the party. We are happy with the services and the party is united. There is no crisis in the party. They are happy; we also are happy. So, we are in support of their actions and they would continue to be commended and be respected and we recognise the services they have rendered to our great party.
“There resignations have also been accepted by the leadership of the party. There is an acting National chairman now and there is an acting National Secretary.
“I can tell you that there is no problem in our party. We won our last election by landslide, we are working hard and in the next election, I am sure we would even win better.
“The constitution of the party says in the absence of substantive National chairman, the Deputy National Chairman from the same zone where the National chairman comes, from would take over and the deputy national secretary would also take over and that was what has happened in our great party and we are happy with it”, Uzodinma said.
