Tag: Nigeria Governors forum
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Insecurity: Governors oppose state of emergency rule
Governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Monday urged the Federal Government to ignore calls for declaration of state of emergency rule in states recently engulfed by violence.
They however condemned the recent killings of security personnel and civilians in Nasarawa, Benue, Borno, Adamawa and other affected northern states.In a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of NGF and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, the governors pointed out that those pushing for state of emergency rule do not wish Nigeria well and want to plunge the country into deeper crisis.While stating that violence can never be a solution to any problem, they urged the security agencies in the country to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible.The statement reads: “We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”“We also call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country. These requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.”“The Federal Government should not allow itself to be distracted from our collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of our country once and for all.”He went on: “We in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states. We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.”“While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.”“It is gratifying that government – Federal and State – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip these orgy of violence in the bud. We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a Committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect.”
“It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.”“We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.” He added -
Fresh intrigues as governors elect new chair tomorrow
The high wire politicking to oust Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) moved into another gear last night.
Election into the office has been scheduled for tomorrow in Abuja, barring a last minute change, contrary to the agreement reached at the forum’s last meeting on Thursday to adjourn indefinitely on the matter.
Forces bent on terminating the governor’s leadership of the all- powerful NGF are understood to have regrouped last night in Abuja to perfect the plot to deny him a second term in office.
Their grouse against him is that he is using his position to promote his joint presidential ambition with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State ahead of the 2015 election thereby jeopading the chances of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term.
The anti-Amaechi forces have also hatched a “Plan B” to split the Governors Forum should he be re-elected.
They are not ruling out a court action to stop the NGF from going ahead with the election if it is glaring that Amaechi will win.
On the card is a push for a caretaker committee or an interim chairman to run the affairs of the NGF until the planned litigation is over .
A smear campaign against Amaechi has already commenced as part of the plan to ‘put him in his place’ following his alleged interest in the presidential race.
A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence last night, said ”after consultations last night the governors elected to hold the election on Monday to get over this issue which is causing distraction.
“The election is assuming a dirty dimension because of the desperate bid of some individuals in government to stop Amaechi from being re-elected.
“The more we defer the poll, the dirtier the politics will be and the NGF might be worse for it.”
Asked about the politicking so far, the source said: “There is anxiety everywhere among the governors and even in the presidency. An otherwise harmless election is now being turned into a show of strength.”
The anti-Amaechi forces were meeting in Abuja at press time in what a source familiar with the development called ”strategic manoeuvring”.
Investigation confirmed that those coordinating the campaign against Amaechi include a governor from the North-Central, who has being posturing as non-aligned in the crisis.
Others are some Ministers, a topshot in the presidency, a former governor, two South-South governors, and two South-East governors.
The source added: “When these strategists met, they became desperate to the extent of considering a likely split of the Governors Forum if Amaechi is re-elected.
“Alternatively, they are planning to use the legal process to stop Amaechi at all costs.
“The governors are aware of this Plan B, that is why they are being cautious in handling the election matter. The D-Day is certainly Monday.”
Amaechi and Lamido have dismissed speculations about their presidential ambtion.
The matter recently sparked a dirty war of words between Amaechi and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe.
It was gathered that the anti-Amaechi forces are unwilling to forgive him for daring to threaten President Jonathan’s bid for a second term in office, moreso when the governor is from the South South like the President.
The Governors Forum is already divided over the issue.
Rooting for Amaechi are: Sule Lamido(Jigawa);Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso( Kano );Aliyu Babangida( Niger );Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Adams Oshiomhole ( Edo ); Babatunde Fashola( Lagos ); Kayode Fayemi(Ekiti); Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Kassim Shettima ( Borno); Ibrahim Gaidam( Yobe); Rochas Okorocha (Imo);\ Abdulfatahi Ahmed (Kwara); Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); and Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo).
Against him are: Godswill Akpabio(Akwa Ibom); Henry Seriake-Dickson(Bayelsa); and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina).
The position of the other governors is uncertain for now.
The pro-Amaechi governors are making their own move by launching a counter-move by wooing their colleagues on the need to preserve the sanctity of the Forum.