Advises ‘tightening of belts’

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday told governors of the 36 states of the federation that the country’s economy was in a bad shape, and asked them to tighten their belts.

The president was quoted by the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari at the end of a closed door meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting which lasted about 30 minutes was attended by 20 governors and deputy governors.

Briefing State House reporters on the outcome of the meeting, Yari said the president told them to tighten their belts ahead.

Yari told journalists that they thanked the president for releasing the Paris club refund to them without any discrimination.

“So, we came here today to thank Mr. President because in bailing out states he did not discriminate along party lines unlike in those days when you could only get audience with Mr. President if you had long leg before the issue would be raised with Minister of Finance. He knew that Nigerians were going to be the beneficiaries of the bailout, not governors. We believe without this mindset, it would have been difficult for us to govern,” he said.

Asked what was the president’s response, he said: “As usual, he responded by thanking us and telling us the economy is in bad shape. And that we have to come together and think and rethink on the way forward.”

Meanwhile, the president while hosting the leadership of National Network for Community and Youth Development led by a former Secretary to the Government of Federation, Yayale Ahmed, stressed the need for continuous dialogue and engagement among all stakeholders in the country.