Confusion reigns as Gov. Jang holds inaugural meeting as NGF Chairman
The Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, who claimed he was the duly elected Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), has thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to serve them as the leader of NGF and pledged to work for the interest of the Forum and country.
Governor Jang made these remarks while addressing the media after an inaugural meeting of which he presided as the Chairman.
In a communiqué signed by Governor Jang and his Deputy, the Governor of Ondo State, 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 President Goodluck Jonathan 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.
Addressing the media, the Deputy Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Gabriel Suswam said in an earlier meeting of the Forum presided over by Babangida Aliyu, they had unanimously adopted Governor Jang as the consensus Chairman and they stood by that decision.
In the same vein, the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Peter Obi, and the Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke also announced the decision of the Governors in their zone to support the leadership of Governor Jang.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Governor Suswam described as fraudulent the process that purportedly produced Governor Chibuike Amaechi and said even in a village council election, an out-going Chairman cannot preside over his own election.
He said it was in acceptance of the leadership of Governor Jang that 18 Governors turned up for the inaugural meeting despite the less than 12-hour 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.
