Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, has knocked governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for comparing Nigeria’s economic situation to that of Venezuela. 

Speaking after a meeting held in Abuja on Monday, Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi and chairman of the PDP governors’ forum, lamented that the cost of living in the country is skyrocketing while the naira is on a free fall.

The governor of Bauchi said Nigeria is “almost on the road to Venezuela” due to the current economic hardship in the country.

As of January, Venezuela was reported to have a 234 percent inflation rate, one of the highest in the world.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the minister said Nigeria is nowhere close to Venezuela.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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 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.”

The minister said while it is expected for the PDP governors to play politics, it should be done with facts.

“Nigerians should ask PDP Governors how far and how well they have utilised the increased revenue to better the lives of Nigerians in their respective states,” he said.

“It is on record that most States controlled by PDP owe workers and pensioners months of unpaid salary and pension arrears. The PDP Governors have defaulted in paying gratuities to their retired workers.

“It is also a fact that many of the PDP Governors have not paid N30,000 minimum wage to their workers since it took effect more than four years ago. All of these anomalies in their states contribute significantly to the economic pressure their citizens face.”

Idris said the PDP governors should support the federal government to revamp the economy.

The Cable