- 19 governors, northern youths back him
The newly elected chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Chief Jonah Jang of Plateau State, yesterday formally assumed leadership of the powerful forum by presiding over the meeting of the forum in Abuja.
Jang was adopted as the consensus candidate of the Northern Governors’ Forum, ahead of the controversial NGF election held at the Rivers Governor’s Lodge and was endorsed by the 19 governors.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting, Jang thanked Nigerian governors for the confidence reposed in him to serve them as the Chairman of the NGF and pledged to work for the interest of the forum and country.
In a communiqué signed by Governor Jang and his deputy, the Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, they vowed to unite members of the NGF and work for the unity of the country.
According to the communiqué, the forum restated “its commitment to continue being a platform for peer review, productive and collaborative engagement with all levels of governments.”
The forum also resolved to continue to encourage and collaborate with Mr. President to restore peace and security in the country and to secure a befitting permanent secretariat outside any Governor’s Lodge and thanked all Nigerians for their support while promising not to let them down
Also speaking, the Deputy Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Dr Gabriel Suswam said that the forum has endorsed the emergence of Chief Jonah Jang as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
He said, in an earlier meeting of the forum presided over by Dr Babangida Aliyu, that they had unanimously adopted Governor Jang as the consensus chairman and they stood by that decision.
Confirming the position, the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema also said that in the overall interest of the nation, he and his Bauchi State counterpart, Mallam Isa Yuguda, had to step down their ambition to lead the forum when the Northern governors endorsed Jang as the consensus candidate.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Chief Peter Obi and the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke also announced the decision of the governors in their zone to support the leadership of Chief Jang.
Fielding questions from newsmen, the Deputy Chairman described as fraudulent the process that purportedly produced Governor Rotimi Amaechi and said even in a village council election, an outgoing chairman cannot preside over his own election.
He said it was in acceptance of the leadership of Chief Jang that 18 Governors turned up for the inaugural meeting, despite the less than 12 hours notice and expressed optimism that the next meeting would bring more governors to the fold.
In attendance at the meeting were the governors of Plateau, Kogi, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Abia and Ondo.
Others were the governors of Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Anambra, Taraba, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Gombe and Kwara states.
SUNDAY Pilot recalls that the governor had on Friday night rejected what they described as the manipulation of the NGF election in favour of Rotimi Amaechi, despite the fact that Chief Jang already had the endorsement of 19 governors before the conduct of the election.
Meanwhile, Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State have introduced the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang to Vice President Namadi Sambo as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Akpabio and Yuguda conducted the introduction at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday afternoon.
The duo have also taken Jang to the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party for introduction to the National chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur.
Akpabio is also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.
Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State have introduced the Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang to Vice President Namadi Sambo as the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Akpabio and Yuguda conducted the introduction at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday afternoon.
The duo have also taken Jang to the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party for introduction to the National chairman of the party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur.
Akpabio is also the chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.