The recent crisis in the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) would not have happened if Chairman of the forum and Governor or Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi did not attempt to reinstall himself by seeking a second term against the forum’s constitution, Governor of Akwa Ibom State Godswill Akpabio, has revealed.
Speaking in Uyo on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, Akpabio said members of the forum rejected Amaechi’s move because there was an agreement from the start that a chairman would only run for a single tenure of two years and then give way to another.
A constitution was suddenly produced, which we disputed; we said no,” said Akpabio, who chairs the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum created in the heat of the crisis.
“When constitution for the NGF was drafted, all the members agreed that the chairman will only go for one term so that there won’t be acrimony amongst the rank and file of governors, that the southern part will do two years and the northern part will do two years for equity.”
NGF Precedent:
However, Governor Akpabio’s claims appear to be at variance with the precedent of past chairmen of the Nigerian Governors Forum. According to NGF website, the inaugural Chairman of the forum, Alhaji (Dr.) Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, led the body for two terms, between 1999 and 2004. Also, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State, served for two terms, between 2007 and 2011.
Other governors who have chaired the forum are Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State (2004 – 2006) and Mr. Lucky Igbinedion, former governor of Edo State (2006 – 2007).
Huhuonline.com understands that Governor Amaechi’s quest for re-election is reasonable, considering the antecedent of the first and third chairmen of the forum.
Outgoing NGF Chairman Amaechi, who is expected to give way when an election holds in June, has never attended a meeting of the PDP Governors Forum since its creation after surviving an earlier attempt to force him out.
How NSGF Bullied Gov. Sherma:
Nevertheless,at the last NGF where a new chairman was to be elected, Governor Shema of Katsina State, the ruling party’s anointed to emerge chairman, abruptly withdrew his candidature.
But Huhuonline.com learnt that his colleagues in the North, led by Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu bullied him into withdrawing or risk ostracism by the northern governors, consequently forcing the postponement of the election.
Ameachi has been anything but the darling of the Presidency since his rumoured interest in emerging as the running mate to Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, who is also reported to be interested in contesting the 2015 presidential elections.
At the time of the crisis, there were reports that the president’s agents conned 15 governors into signing a document, which was then used as the basis for creating the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum, itself meant to undermine the powers of the original NGF and its chairman.
It was learnt that at some point, some of the governors who opposed the Amaechi removal plan were threatened with serious sanctions, such as withdrawal of their security personnel and other benefits.
