The Progressives Governors Forum has waded into the ongoing dispute between the Federal Government and striking resident doctors.
The PGF is a forum of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Members of the forum took the decision to support the initiative of the Nigeria Governors Forum who has engaged in consultations with the feuding groups.
This was contained in a statement titled, “Resolutions of Meeting of Progressive Governors“, signed by the Chairman of the PGF and Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Bagudu, in Abuja, on Tuesday.
The governors who deliberated on several issues said, “The meeting also reviewed the ongoing strike action by National Association of Resident Doctors and resolved as follows:
“Noting that Nigeria Governors Forum 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 also commended Governor Mai Mala Buni- led Caretaker/ Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee for doing a job of keeping the party together and attracting more members.
The statement further read, “Having reviewed progress in the party, Forum commends all party members for commitment to the process of rebuilding the APC and urge them to give support at all times.”
By John Alechenu,
The Punch