Hardship: FG slams PDP governors for comparing Nigeria’s economic challenges to Venezuela

• Idris stated that while politicians had the right to play politics, they should always do that within the ambit of reason and common sense

The Federal Government says it’s self-serving and disingenuous for the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to compare Nigeria to Venezuela.

The government said the utterances and conduct of the governors were at variance with what were expected from so called leaders, adding that the governors are playing to the gallery.

The Federal Government position was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information & National Orientation.

Idris stated that while politicians had the right to play politics, they should always do that within the ambit of reason and common sense

The statement reads, “We welcome their call for a bipartisan approach to solving our nation’s economic and security problems.

“As critical stakeholders and leaders at the sub-national level, the PDP governors certainly have the right to state their position on national concerns as is expected.

“However, as leaders in the country who are members of two important constitutional organs of government – the National Economic Council, which is the highest economic management organ of the country, and the National Council of States, we believe the PDP governors did not conduct themselves in a manner befitting their roles as leaders.

“It is far-fetched when PDP governors, who are supposed to be major players in driving economic growth and prosperity for our citizens in their respective states, mischievously and falsely compare our current economic challenges to Venezuela.

“We want to state categorically that though our country is going through some rough patches, which are being addressed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our situation is nowhere near what is happening in Venezuela.

“The Nigerian economy is still very strong and is expected to record a 3% GDP growth this year. The economy is meeting financial obligations to lenders at home and abroad.

“The Nigerian government is running effectively, and our government can pay all its bills while maintaining a healthy trade balance with trading partners worldwide.

“While opposition politicians are expected to play politics, it should be done within the bounds of truth and fidelity to facts. It is unconscionable of PDP Governors to manipulate facts and misinform Nigerians about our country’s true state of affairs”