NGF poll: Governors split over Amaechi

 Barely four days to the election of a new chairman for the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), the 36 governors are evenly split on the re-election of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

Despite the pressure from the Presidency, 18 governors are in support of Amaechi’s return; 18 are not.

Intense lobbying began at the weekend to prevail on a governor to break the tie because a simple majority is required for a winner to emerge.

All efforts to prevent the Forum from going into election on May 23 collapsed on Friday as the two sides insisted on the poll.

Amaechi has secured the support of Southwest governors (this does not include Ondo State); four Northwest governors; Three Northcentral; Three Northeast; two Southsouth; and One Southeast.

Those against Amaechi are banking on four votes from Southsouth; four from Southeast; three from Northcentral; three from Northwest; three from Northeast; and one from Southwest.

According to a source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, moves to appeal to the two sides to resolve their differences have failed.

The source said: “Despite intervention by some former governors to prevail on the governors not to go into outright election, which could split the NGF, they have all remained adamant.

“While Amaechi is seeking re-election, the opposing camp is putting up Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State or, at worst a compromise candidate in Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

“So far, the votes are split 18-18 apiece. This is why intense lobbying has started. A winner can emerge through only simple majority.”

A PDP governor from the Southsouth, who is co-ordinating the anti-Amaechi campaign, relocated to Abuja last week to embark on one-on-one lobbying of Northern governors.

“The heat is so much on those trying to unseat Amaechi. And the development in the last one week in Rivers State has also made Amaechi to gain more sympathy,” a source said.