Months
of intrigues and political permutations among the 36 state governors ended on
Friday with the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the chairman of the
Nigerian Governors’ Forum for a second term.
of intrigues and political permutations among the 36 state governors ended on
Friday with the election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi as the chairman of the
Nigerian Governors’ Forum for a second term.
The election, which was held at the Rivers State Governor’s
Lodge, in Abuja was witnessed by 35 out of the 36 state governors.
Lodge, in Abuja was witnessed by 35 out of the 36 state governors.
Only the governor of Yobe, Ibrahim Geidam, was not at the venue
of the election and was not represented.
of the election and was not represented.
Amaechi defeated his only rival, Mr. Jonah Jang, who is the
governor of Plateau State.
governor of Plateau State.
While Amaechi got 19 votes, Jang had 16.
Also elected as the deputy chairman of the forum was the
Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulazees Yari, who was unopposed.
Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulazees Yari, who was unopposed.
His rival for the position, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo
State, had voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
State, had voluntarily withdrawn from the race.
Announcing the result of the election, the Returning Officer for
the election, who is also the Director-General of the forum, Mr. Asishana
Okauru, said the election was well contested.
the election, who is also the Director-General of the forum, Mr. Asishana
Okauru, said the election was well contested.
He said, “The governor of Yobe was not present. We counted all
the votes and the chairman, Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State emerged
winner with a total of 19 votes against the governor of Plateau State, who
secured a total of 16 votes.
the votes and the chairman, Chibuke Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State emerged
winner with a total of 19 votes against the governor of Plateau State, who
secured a total of 16 votes.
“Now, for the vice-chairman, it is important to announce to you
that there were four candidates, two of the candidates withdrew from the race
but they participated in the voting process.
that there were four candidates, two of the candidates withdrew from the race
but they participated in the voting process.
“Governors Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and Ibrahim Shema of
Katsina State also participated in the election. At the end, it is clear that
the chairman emerged as the chairman for the next two years. The vice-chairman
position was also up and there were two candidates: Governors Mimiko and Yari.
Katsina State also participated in the election. At the end, it is clear that
the chairman emerged as the chairman for the next two years. The vice-chairman
position was also up and there were two candidates: Governors Mimiko and Yari.
“But the governor of Ondo withdrew from the race and yielded the
position to the governor of Zamfara, who, as from today, is the vice-chairman
of the NGF.”
position to the governor of Zamfara, who, as from today, is the vice-chairman
of the NGF.”
As soon as the results were announced, the opposition governors,
including some PDP governors, were seen exchanging greetings. They also shook
hands as they sang songs of joy.
including some PDP governors, were seen exchanging greetings. They also shook
hands as they sang songs of joy.
Amaechi, in his brief remarks, said he was happy and would work
with all the governors, including those that did not vote for him.
with all the governors, including those that did not vote for him.
But when they realised what had happened, some of the governors,
led by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum, Chief
Godswill Akpabio, headed for the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodges, where they said
they rejected the result.
led by the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum, Chief
Godswill Akpabio, headed for the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodges, where they said
they rejected the result.
Jang, who spoke at the briefing, said he stood by the
pre-election arrangement, where the PDP governors endorsed him as their
candidate.
pre-election arrangement, where the PDP governors endorsed him as their
candidate.
Before going for the election, some PDP governors had endorsed
Jang and asked both Shema and Yuguda to step down. Both aspirants agreed and
signed a statement to that effect.
Jang and asked both Shema and Yuguda to step down. Both aspirants agreed and
signed a statement to that effect.
The two governors said they were doing that for Jang.
But at the briefing, Jang insisted that the stepping down of the
two aspirants and his endorsement was enough to guarantee his success.
two aspirants and his endorsement was enough to guarantee his success.
Akpabio said that Amaechi ought to have stepped down before the
conduct of the election, adding that there was no way an incumbent could be in
office while an election was being conducted.
conduct of the election, adding that there was no way an incumbent could be in
office while an election was being conducted.
When asked about the position of the NGF’s constitution on the
matter, he refused to answer.
matter, he refused to answer.
He said as far as he and members of his group were concerned,
Jang remained the chairman of the NGF while Mimiko was his deputy.
Jang remained the chairman of the NGF while Mimiko was his deputy.
Akpabio also refused to state why he and his group agreed to be
part of the election when they noticed the perceived anomalies.
part of the election when they noticed the perceived anomalies.
Those who were at the briefing were the governors of Bayelsa,
Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu and Kogi
states.
Ebonyi, Cross River, Abia, Kogi, Bauchi, Ondo, Delta, Anambra, Enugu and Kogi
states.
It was gathered that some of the PDP governors were not happy
with the emergence of Jang as the consensus candidate and decided to vote for
Amaechi.
with the emergence of Jang as the consensus candidate and decided to vote for
Amaechi.
This might have resulted in the defeat of Jang.
The voting process, which was by secret balloting, was said to
have worked against Jang.
have worked against Jang.
Jang read a statement, which was signed by the 19 governors that
endorsed him to buttress the claim that he won the election.
endorsed him to buttress the claim that he won the election.
He said, “The northern governors met in the morning and both
Shema and Yuguda agreed to step down and I was asked to take their place.
Shema and Yuguda agreed to step down and I was asked to take their place.
The PDP governors also agreed and endorsed the action.
“Any further discussion about the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, I
should be addressed as the chairman of the forum as from today.
should be addressed as the chairman of the forum as from today.
“We the undersigned governors of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum
having taken cognisance of the state of the nation and the perception of the
Nigerian people, do hereby resolve as follows:
having taken cognisance of the state of the nation and the perception of the
Nigerian people, do hereby resolve as follows:
“That we thank the outgoing chairman, His Excellency, Chief
Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State for his leadership and achievements;
Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State for his leadership and achievements;
“That we strongly agree for a change of leadership of the forum
from May 2013 to May 2015.
from May 2013 to May 2015.
“We hereby elect His Excellency, Jonah Jang of Plateau State as
the new chairman,” the statement said.
the new chairman,” the statement said.
While the entire statement was typed, the name of Jang was
written with pen, which indicated that his coming into the race was not
predetermined.
written with pen, which indicated that his coming into the race was not
predetermined.
Those who signed the statement were the governors of Akwa Ibom,
Gombe, Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu,
Ebonyi, Bauchi, Delta, Abia, Katsina, Yobe, Cross River and Kwara.
Gombe, Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue, Anambra, Kogi, Ondo, Plateau, Kaduna, Enugu,
Ebonyi, Bauchi, Delta, Abia, Katsina, Yobe, Cross River and Kwara.
The statement was signed before the voting.
As soon as Jang finished reading his speech, the Governor of
Bayelea State, Seriake Dickson, said there should be no question from
journalists.
Bayelea State, Seriake Dickson, said there should be no question from
journalists.
The Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said he was going
to introduce his successor as the deputy chairman of the forum.
to introduce his successor as the deputy chairman of the forum.
He later raised the hands of Mimiko.
Akpabio said there was no election and that what happened was
not a valid election.
not a valid election.
Before the election, governors from the northern states met in
the morning, but sources at the meeting said the governors were unable to
arrive at a consensus candidate.
the morning, but sources at the meeting said the governors were unable to
arrive at a consensus candidate.
Our correspondent observed that telephone communication was
jammed at the venue of the election to prevent the governors from being
influenced by outsiders, probably from the Presidency or PDP leadership.
jammed at the venue of the election to prevent the governors from being
influenced by outsiders, probably from the Presidency or PDP leadership.
This was the first time that such a situation would happen since
the governors have been having their meetings.
the governors have been having their meetings.
Meanwhile, Amaechi has affirmed the forum’s commitment towards
supporting President Goodluck Jonathan to fight insecurity and reduce tension
and uncertainty in the country.
supporting President Goodluck Jonathan to fight insecurity and reduce tension
and uncertainty in the country.
Amaechi said in a statement shortly after he was re-elected the
NGF chairman in Abuja on Friday that the forum would back President Jonathan to
achieve the development dream of Nigerians.
NGF chairman in Abuja on Friday that the forum would back President Jonathan to
achieve the development dream of Nigerians.
He also pledged the forum’s resolve to work alongside the
President to improve the living standard of Nigerians through transparent and
accountable stewardship.
President to improve the living standard of Nigerians through transparent and
accountable stewardship.
He expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their
tenacity and determination to ensure the unity of the forum and the nation in
general.
tenacity and determination to ensure the unity of the forum and the nation in
general.
“Today, our democracy was tested and proven. Democracy is about
participation. The aim of democratic governance is for everyone to partake in
winning.
participation. The aim of democratic governance is for everyone to partake in
winning.
“Today, the governors have spoken with one voice, reaffirming
our faith in democratic governance as the hope of Nigeria’s future.
our faith in democratic governance as the hope of Nigeria’s future.
“I must thank my colleagues for their tenacity and
determination to ensure the unity of the forum but more importantly of our
nation.
determination to ensure the unity of the forum but more importantly of our
nation.
“We remain committed to supporting our leader, the
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to realise the
development dream of all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and
insecurity in our beloved country.
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to realise the
development dream of all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and
insecurity in our beloved country.
“We want to pledge our steadfastness and resolve to work
alongside Mr. President to better the lives of our people as we render
transparent and accountable stewardship,” Amaechi said.
alongside Mr. President to better the lives of our people as we render
transparent and accountable stewardship,” Amaechi said.
Similarly, the NGF Director-General, Dr. Asishana Okauru,
explained that the forum under the leadership of Governor Amaechi was eager to
work with the Federal Government to achieve its (FG) development programmes for
Nigerians.
explained that the forum under the leadership of Governor Amaechi was eager to
work with the Federal Government to achieve its (FG) development programmes for
Nigerians.
Okauru pointed out that Amaechi’s determination to assist the
Federal Government to develop the country made him (Amaechi) to go for a second
term as the NGF chairman.
Federal Government to develop the country made him (Amaechi) to go for a second
term as the NGF chairman.
“The chairman (Amaechi) won and the election was
transparent as every governor except one voted. His victory portends well for
Nigeria.
transparent as every governor except one voted. His victory portends well for
Nigeria.
“Amaechi means well for the country and he is eager to work with
the Federal Government to achieve the best for Nigerians,” Okauru stressed.
the Federal Government to achieve the best for Nigerians,” Okauru stressed.
Okauru was, however, silent on the issue of external
interference in the affairs of the forum before the election.
interference in the affairs of the forum before the election.
As soon as Jang finished reading his speech, the Governor of
Bayelea State, Seriake Dickson, said there should be no question from
journalists.
Bayelea State, Seriake Dickson, said there should be no question from
journalists.
The Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, said he was going
to introduce his successor as the deputy chairman of the forum.
to introduce his successor as the deputy chairman of the forum.
He later raised the hands of Mimiko.
Akpabio said there was no election and that what happened was
not a valid election.
not a valid election.
Before the election, governors from the northern states met in
the morning, but sources at the meeting said the governors were unable to
arrive at a consensus candidate.
the morning, but sources at the meeting said the governors were unable to
arrive at a consensus candidate.
Our correspondent observed that telephone communication was
jammed at the venue of the election to prevent the governors from being
influenced by outsiders, probably from the Presidency or PDP leadership.
jammed at the venue of the election to prevent the governors from being
influenced by outsiders, probably from the Presidency or PDP leadership.
This was the first time that such a situation would happen since
the governors have been having their meetings.
the governors have been having their meetings.
Meanwhile, Amaechi has affirmed the forum’s commitment towards
supporting President Goodluck Jonathan to fight insecurity and reduce tension
and uncertainty in the country.
supporting President Goodluck Jonathan to fight insecurity and reduce tension
and uncertainty in the country.
Amaechi said in a statement shortly after he was re-elected the
NGF chairman in Abuja on Friday that the forum would back President Jonathan to
achieve the development dream of Nigerians.
NGF chairman in Abuja on Friday that the forum would back President Jonathan to
achieve the development dream of Nigerians.
He also pledged the forum’s resolve to work alongside the
President to improve the living standard of Nigerians through transparent and
accountable stewardship.
President to improve the living standard of Nigerians through transparent and
accountable stewardship.
He expressed gratitude to his colleagues for their tenacity and
determination to ensure the unity of the forum and the nation in general.
determination to ensure the unity of the forum and the nation in general.
“Today, our democracy was tested and proven. Democracy is about
participation. The aim of democratic governance is for everyone to partake in
winning.
participation. The aim of democratic governance is for everyone to partake in
winning.
“Today, the governors have spoken with one voice, reaffirming
our faith in democratic governance as the hope of Nigeria’s future.
our faith in democratic governance as the hope of Nigeria’s future.
“I must thank my colleagues for their tenacity and determination
to ensure the unity of the forum but more importantly of our nation.
to ensure the unity of the forum but more importantly of our nation.
“We remain committed to supporting our leader, the President and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His
Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to realise the development dream of
all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and insecurity in our beloved
country.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His
Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to realise the development dream of
all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and insecurity in our beloved
country.
“We want to pledge our steadfastness and resolve to work
alongside Mr. President to better the lives of our people as we render
transparent and accountable stewardship,” Amaechi said.
alongside Mr. President to better the lives of our people as we render
transparent and accountable stewardship,” Amaechi said.
Similarly, the NGF Director-General, Dr. Asishana Okauru,
explained that the forum under the leadership of Governor Amaechi was eager to
work with the Federal Government to achieve its (FG) development programmes for
Nigerians.
explained that the forum under the leadership of Governor Amaechi was eager to
work with the Federal Government to achieve its (FG) development programmes for
Nigerians.
Okauru pointed out that Amaechi’s determination to assist the
Federal Government to develop the country made him (Amaechi) to go for a second
term as the NGF chairman.
Federal Government to develop the country made him (Amaechi) to go for a second
term as the NGF chairman.
“The chairman (Amaechi) won and the election was transparent as
every governor except one voted. His victory portends well for Nigeria.
every governor except one voted. His victory portends well for Nigeria.
“Amaechi means well for the country and he is eager to work with
the Federal Government to achieve the best for Nigerians,” Okauru stressed.
the Federal Government to achieve the best for Nigerians,” Okauru stressed.
Okauru was, however, silent on the issue of external
interference in the affairs of the forum before the election.
interference in the affairs of the forum before the election.
Source: Punch
