Uncertainty as Govs Forum gets new Chairman today

[PeoplesDaily]

By Lawrence Olaoye, Abuja and Edwin Olofu, Kano

Uncertainty, suspense pervade the political airspace as the nation's thirty-six states governors gather today in Abuja to elect their new chairman under the aegis of he Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF). As at the time of filing this reports, it was clear that the incumbent Chairman of the Forum and the governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Anaechi, has rebuffed all entreaties to step down for the Kasina state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, who appears to be enjoying the backing of not only hat of President Goodluck Jonathan but some sizable governors across the country.

Governors on the platform of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of its Chairman and Akwa-Ibom state government, Chief Godswill Akpabio, as at the time of this reports are locked in crucial meeting seeking for ways of persuading their colleagues to support Shema's candidature against Amaechi.

Some of the governors are said to have cautioned that backing Shema against Amaechi would amount to clipping the wings of the NGF and instead are suggesting a neutral person. These governors are suggesting that the Bauchi state governor, Isa Yuguda would be more acceptable to hem and even the opposition governors.

A source close to the NGF however disclosed that it would not be easy for Amaechi to retain his seat considering the body language of some of his loyalists who may have changed camp. Meanwhile, Elder statesman Alhaji Tanko Yakasai has urged the members of the NGFnot to succumb to pressure from anybody, as they prepare to elect their leader.

Yakasai who was speaking in Kano advised the governors to resit pressure that does not represent their views on good leadership and governance that would translate to a better service to the people of Nigeria.

Yankassai, accordingly charged the governors, " to realize that the eyes of the world is on them and therefore, they should not do anything that would tarnish their own image or the image of the country as a whole".

He noted that there are eleven non -PDP governors in the Forum while adding that even among the PDP governors, at least four of them are PDP governors profess to PDP only by their name. He therefore argued that the Nigerian Governors Forum should not be treated as a PDP affair where anything goes.

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