Governors Demand Okonjo-Iweala’s Resignation

Nigerian governors have demanded the immediate resignation of
Nigeria's Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, accusing her of
failing to implement the country's appropriations law.
The governors' decision was contained in a communiqué they issued
after a meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum. The meeting took
place at the Rivers State Governor's Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. Governor
Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State presided over the meeting
which was attended by 16 governors.
Mr. Amaechi also read the communiqué at the end of the three-hour
meeting. In it, the governors drew attention to the non-compliance
with the revenue projection of the Federal Government of Nigeria 2013
budget, blaming Ms. Okonjo-Iweala for her poor management of the
economy. The forum stated that the non-compliance was a direct breach
of the appropriations act of 2013.
The governors expressed serious concern over the management of the
economy by Ms. Okonjo-Iweala, and called for strict adherence to the
Appropriations Act of 2013. They stated that the minister should
resign if she failed to implement the act. The Governors Forum stated
that the National Economic Council is constitutionally responsible for
the management of the economy and should be used for that purpose as
opposed to the economic management team constituted by the Presidency.
In addition, the governors once again called on the National Assembly
to legislate the separation of the office of the Accountant General of
the Federation from that of the ministry of finance for better
accountability and management of the economy.
The governors also reviewed the polio situation in the country, noting
that some progress had been made in 2013 compared to 2012. It called
on all governors to remain focused on anti-polio programs in their
respective states to ensure the eradication of the disease.
The governors also offered their condolence to Patience Jonathan, the
wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, over the loss of her mother. They
also send condolence messages to Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos
State who had lost his father, and the family of former Governor
Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State who died last week.