Who occupies the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman’s seat at today’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja?
Today’s meeting is the first since the disputed NGF election, which
was won by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 19 votes to
beat Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who had 16.
It will be a challenge for Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is the chairman of the NEC.
While majority of the governors were last night pushing for Amaechi
as the rightful occupant of the seat, the 16 governors supporting Jang
were lobbying the Presidency to concede the seat to the Plateau State
helmsmen.
It was learnt that pro-Amaechi governors may walk out of the NEC meeting if Jang is recognised as the NGF chairman.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The governors have shifted the battle over NGF chairmanship to the NEC meeting.
“As the chairman of NEC, the VP will face a major test today on who
to recognise as the chairman of the NGF, who plays a pivotal role at the
council meeting.
“If Sambo recognises Jang, it could cause a split in NEC and if he
does not, he will be working at cross-purpose with his principal.
“The alternative is for Sambo to rely on the ongoing case in court
and assume full control of the NEC session but some forces in the
Presidency will not like it.”
A governor, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “The
real battle for the NGF chairmanship will be at the NEC meeting.
Nigerians will now see the two camps in their true colours.
“Apart from the fact that Amaechi was validly elected as the chairman
of NGF, it will be subjudice for the VP to recognise Jang. There is a
subsisting suit against Jang for claiming to be the NGF chairman.”
Another source in the Presidency said: “The government is trying to
address this issue; we envisage a smooth session at the NEC meeting.”
Amaechi, who left the Presidential “Mid-tern dinner for tansformation
team” before it closed last night at the Villa, spoke with reporters.
He said it would be undemocratic if he was suspended by the PDP because he won the NGF election.
Amaechi said: “If the PDP is suspending me for that reason, too bad.
We must learn to be democratic. I am not aware that the party has given
any reason for suspending me; if that is the reason, too bad. The party
is yet to give any reason for my suspension. I am not aware that the
party suspended me for winning an election.”
The governor said he was not aware of any faction in the NGF as he is the forum’s authentic chairman.
“Was NGF sick? I don’t know about factions. We are holding NGF
meeting and we agreed that those of us who were there should honour the
President and attend the dinner. We have attended; you saw all of them;
some have left and I am leaving too.”
On the way forward, Amaechi said: “That is the question to ask Jang
and those who are supporting him. Those with me are in the majority.”
Source: The Nation
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