Governors have reaffirmed the pledge to raise their performance in line with calls by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for them to “wet the grass further”.
They use the opportunity of the Independence Day programmes and statements to convey their willingness to do more.
The President’s admonition is based on the improved revenue going to the states and councils as fallout of the removal of petrol subsidy.
From about N700 billion being shared from the Federation Account to the federation, states and council pre-May 2023, the Federation Account Allocation has risen to N2.2 trillion shared in August.
In many of the states, there were activities to mark the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary, the military parade which would have been held in Abuja was cancelled at the last minute.
The only activities from the Federal Government were the broadcast by the President and his inauguration of the refurbished National Art theatre in Lagos, which was named after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Governors renewed their calls for unity, cohesion and peace as they joined Nigerians in the celebration.
They urged Nigerians to place patriotism and national unity above religious sentiments and ethnicity.
In messages to their people and Nigerians, Governors Usman Ododo (Kogi), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike urged Nigerians to support the reforms of the Tinubu administration.
