As the striking National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), vows to continue with their industrial action, until the federal government meets all their demands, the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) has advised that they end the strike and return to negotiating table with all that is involved.
The APC governors, who met last Sunday in Abuja also urged the striking doctors to negotiate with the various states, since MST of their demands concern the state governments.
The Forum, in a statement issued at the end of their meeting and signed by the chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi state, stated further that it has reviewed the progress being made by the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee in the effort to rebuild structures of the party at all levels, even as it commended members of the Caretaker Committee led by His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni for the successful conduct of the Ward Congresses across the country.
“Accordingly, Forum reaffirmed its support for the Caretaker Committee to proceed to conduct Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention, in line with the mandate of the National Executive Committee.
“Having reviewed progress in the party, Forum commend all party members for commitment to the process of rebuilding the APC and urge them to give support at all times. In particular, Forum notes with satisfaction reports from various states of commendable mobilisation and participation in the July 31st, 2021 ward congresses.
All the states reported successful conduct. “The meeting also reviewed the ongoing strike action by National Association of Resident Doctors and resolved as follows: “Noting that Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is already engaged in consultations with the leadership of the Resident Doctors and the Federal Government, Forum endorsed the initiative of the NGF and support the call by the Federal Government through the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige for the immediate suspension of the strike to allow negotiations to continue.
“Noting that most of the grievances of the Resident Doctors are with State Governments, Forum appealed to the Resident Doctors to negotiate with individual State Governments and issues affecting Resident Doctors in Federal establishments should be negotiated with the relevant structures of the Federal Government.” The governors stated.
The governors also formally welcomed Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state as the 22nd member of the Forum.
