Akwa
Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday said that his Rivers State
counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, tried to ‘reinstall’ himself as the chairman of
the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, on Friday said that his Rivers State
counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi, tried to ‘reinstall’ himself as the chairman of
the Nigerian Governors’ Forum.
However, the Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic
Party countered his assertion, saying that only the 36 governors could decide
whether Amaechi was okay to go for a second term.
Party countered his assertion, saying that only the 36 governors could decide
whether Amaechi was okay to go for a second term.
Akpabio, who spoke during an interview on a Channels Television
programme, Sunrise, said Amaechi’s bid was stoutly resisted by some governors,
whose identities he did not disclose.
programme, Sunrise, said Amaechi’s bid was stoutly resisted by some governors,
whose identities he did not disclose.
He stated that Amaechi’s bid was in violation of an agreement
drawn up by governors when Vice-President Namadi Sambo was the governor of
Kaduna State.
drawn up by governors when Vice-President Namadi Sambo was the governor of
Kaduna State.
He said, “I must advise that Nigerians must practise responsible
journalism. Sometimes you see headlines such as ‘Jonathan’s group..’ or
‘Jonathan fails to remove Amaechi.’ Nothing like that ever happened.
journalism. Sometimes you see headlines such as ‘Jonathan’s group..’ or
‘Jonathan fails to remove Amaechi.’ Nothing like that ever happened.
“The only thing that happened within the (Nigerian) Governors’
Forum was that our chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, attempted to go for a
second term and reinstall himself and we said no.
Forum was that our chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi, attempted to go for a
second term and reinstall himself and we said no.
“The agreement we had was that each chairman should go for only
one tenure. A constitution was we drafted. The chairman of the constitution
drafting committee was (then governor) Namadi Sambo. We entrenched the
provision that there it should only be one tenure each so that there would not
be acrimony within the rank and file of the forum.
one tenure. A constitution was we drafted. The chairman of the constitution
drafting committee was (then governor) Namadi Sambo. We entrenched the
provision that there it should only be one tenure each so that there would not
be acrimony within the rank and file of the forum.
“We agreed that the Southern and Northern parts of the country
should do two years each two. We did that because we had a situation where
there was a chairman of the governors’ forum who had a presidential aspiration
and we were no longer having meetings. It was starting to look like the forum
was trying to wrest power from the people at the Villa. That was not the
truth.”
should do two years each two. We did that because we had a situation where
there was a chairman of the governors’ forum who had a presidential aspiration
and we were no longer having meetings. It was starting to look like the forum
was trying to wrest power from the people at the Villa. That was not the
truth.”
On whether the influence of the forum had turned it into a
pressure group, Akpabio explained that the unity it had brought about in the
country was more important.
pressure group, Akpabio explained that the unity it had brought about in the
country was more important.
“I don’t know about power but we have been able to bring
together APGA, ACN and others. I don’t think it is has become a pressure
group.I think it is because of the events in the country. For instance, when
our late President (Umaru Yar’Adua) was sick, there was the need for the
governors to come together and provide a little bit of leadership and that was
what we did. I think that is what we are elected to do,” he added.
together APGA, ACN and others. I don’t think it is has become a pressure
group.I think it is because of the events in the country. For instance, when
our late President (Umaru Yar’Adua) was sick, there was the need for the
governors to come together and provide a little bit of leadership and that was
what we did. I think that is what we are elected to do,” he added.
Akpabio also said he would run for the Senate in 2015, based on
“pressures by my people who are yearning for quality representation based on
service. I was compelled to reconsider my decision and yield to the people
desire by opting to run for the Senate.”
“pressures by my people who are yearning for quality representation based on
service. I was compelled to reconsider my decision and yield to the people
desire by opting to run for the Senate.”
But Rivers State PDP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ukwuoma-Nwogba,
said since Akpabio was only one governor among other state governors, his
opinion could not be binding on the tenure of the forum’s chairman.
said since Akpabio was only one governor among other state governors, his
opinion could not be binding on the tenure of the forum’s chairman.
Ukwuoma-Nwogba explained that the NGF had agreed that its
constitution be amended for Amaechi to go for a second term and added that any
opposition to such a decision was unnecessary.
constitution be amended for Amaechi to go for a second term and added that any
opposition to such a decision was unnecessary.
“The truth is that Akpabio as governor is not the NGF and his
position on the tenure of the NGF chairman cannot be binding on other
governors.
position on the tenure of the NGF chairman cannot be binding on other
governors.
“If the governors have agreed to amend their constitution for Amaechi
to go for a second term as NGF chairman, there is little or nothing he
(Akpabio) can do about it,” the state PDP spokesman emphasised.
to go for a second term as NGF chairman, there is little or nothing he
(Akpabio) can do about it,” the state PDP spokesman emphasised.
Source: Punch
