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The Federal Government has rebuked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum for drawing comparisons between Nigeria’s economic challenges and those of Venezuela. This comes after Bala Mohammed, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, likened Nigeria’s situation under President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress-led administration to that of Venezuela.
Venezuela is currently grappling with a myriad of issues including political corruption, shortages of food and medicine, business closures, high unemployment rates, decreased productivity, human rights violations, economic mismanagement, and heavy reliance on oil, all contributing to a severe crisis.
Reacting to the comparison, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, emphasized that Nigeria’s situation is distinct from Venezuela’s despite facing its own set of challenges. He stated, “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.”
Idris criticized the PDP governors for their comparison, stating that Nigeria’s economy remains robust with a projected three per cent Gross Domestic Product growth this year. He highlighted the government’s ability to meet financial obligations, maintain a healthy trade balance, and double revenue since President Tinubu assumed office.
The minister also pointed out discrepancies within states governed by the PDP, citing instances of unpaid salaries, pension arrears, and failure to implement the minimum wage. He urged PDP governors to prioritize addressing these issues instead of stirring disaffection towards the federal government.
Assuring Nigerians of the government’s commitment to addressing challenges, Idris cited ongoing efforts to combat security threats and stabilize the exchange rate. He encouraged PDP governors to collaborate with their counterparts in the Nigerian Governors Forum to revamp the economy for the collective well-being of Nigerians.
