Gov Ahmed tipped as Nigeria Governors Forum’s Chair

After two years into the crisis rocking the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, appears favoured as its next Chairman.

The forum, which was reckoned for its influence in the country's landscape, was engulfed in crisis in May 2013 after the election of its officials split the body into two.

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi at the election, which was held at the Rivers State Governors lodge in Abuja, defeated his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang, with 19 votes to 16.

But the election's outcome did not go down well with the Jang's camp, who appeared to be loyal to President Goodluck Jonathan, and later formed a parallel NGF.

However, as some members of the forum appeared to have resolved to reconcile and set to elect new officials today in Abuja, Ahmed, according to informed sources in the forum's national Secretariat, is said to be favoured as the next NGF's chairman for his vision, liberalism and appeal to all sides of the divides. His experience as a second term governor is also said to count in his favour.

One of the sources hinted that the state governor is also enjoying the backing of the structure that brought in Amaechi against the will and wish of the presidency.

''At the last count, the Kwara State Governor's name is being considered as the next chairman of the crisis ridden Nigeria Governors Forum. This is hinged on his simplicity and liberalism. He is seen as a governor who cut across all divides. He is bilingual—he speaks Hausa very fluently because of his background and it is believed that his exposure will also come to bear in piloting the affairs of the forum.

''Governor Ahmed has many factors working in his favour; one of those is that the structure that brought in Governor Rotimi Amaechi into power against the wimps and caprices of the presidency is solidly behind him.

''It is also believed that Governor Ahmed, having worked as the state commissioner for finance while his former boss was the NGF's chairman, will be able to push the ideas of the forum in a right direction. And is seen as a man without controversies, who will further project its image very well'', the source said.

The Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Abdualziz Yari, who has been the deputy to Amaechi since the 2013 election is in strong contention to emerge as the new NGF chair.

It was also gathered that Governors Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, are also angling to take over from the Rivers State's governor.

Meanwhile, a unified NGF meeting is expected to hold today at the Transcorps Hilton Hotel, Abuja by 8 p.m.

The Director General of the NGF, Ashishana Okauru, who confirmed Monday's meeting to PREMIUM TIMES, an online news medium, said all the governors have agreed to Monday's meeting.

He also said the major agenda of the meeting would be to look at the activities of the forum over time, saying, “We have not really met as one since May 2013”.

The DG said Amaechi would be the one giving the updates to his colleagues, adding, “we would also try to explore the possibility of getting new leaders,” he said.

Okauru said all second term governors are eligible to emerge; adding, however, that a consensus arrangement may be considered.

He said governors-elect would not participate in the meeting until after the handover of power on May 29.

#Politics