Governors Nasir el-Rufai
(Kaduna) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) are contesting for Nigeria Governors
Forum (NGF) chairman.
But there are indications
that a Southwest candidate may get the job since the outgoing chairman, Zamfara
State Governor Abdul-Aziz Yari, is from the North.
El-Rufai is, however, said
to have insisted on getting the slot and he is yet to agree to step down for
any of his colleagues.
The NGF has had six
chairmen in the last 20 years when the nation returned to democracy.
The past chairmen are Alh.
Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa, 1999 – 2004), Arc. (Obong) Victor Attah, (Akwa Ibom
State 2004 -2006), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo 2006 – 2007), Dr. Abubakar
Bukola Saraki, (Kwara 2007- 2011) Rotimi Amaechi ( Rivers from 2011 -2015) and
Abdulaziz Yari(2015-2019).
According to sources, the
NGF poll will hold on May 22 in Abuja ahead of the last National Economic
Council meeting for the outgoing governors on May 23.
It was learnt that the
governors have started consulting one another on who to elect as their chairman
because of the tasks ahead of them, including the need to sustain a harmonious
relationship with the President; payment
of N30,000 minimum wage and the effects
on states’ economy; increasing security challenges; and seeking a new formula
for the funding of the Universal Basic Education(UBE).
A governor from
Northcentral said: “Many governors are interested in leading the NGF, but
the intrigues have left us with two choices – el-Rufai and Fayemi.
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“While some do not want
el-Rufai for having his fingers in too
many pies, others feel his closeness to
President Muhammadu Buhari may add value. Most governors in the opposition
parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are opposed to him.
“But Fayemi is rated as a
liberal leader who has built bridges across all parties. He is also regarded as
a governor who has the ears of Buhari and members of his ‘kitchen cabinet’.
“I think most of us prefer
Fayemi to el-Rufai whose leadership style can be likened to that of an
headmaster. He is also an academic with an international profile. But in
politics, anything can change overnight.
“When we meet on May 22, we
will look at all options and choose the best out of the two governors.”
A governor from the
Northeast said: “We have a challenge at
hand because the outgoing NGF chairman is leaving a big vacuum.
“The truth is that we have
never had a successful NGF chairman like Abdulaziz Yari, who is a goal getter.
He bailed us out many times by sourcing for funds from the President.
“Governors across all
parties were at home with Yari because he succeeded in persuading President
Muhammadu Buhari in approving the release of almost N2 trillion to states,
including N713.7 0billion special intervention funds to states, London-Paris Club refund and other special
funds.
“ The Zamfara State
governor might have security and political problems at home and he is probably
in a tinder box in his state but he has offered leadership, which is acceptable
to all governors across the parties in the country.
“I think he wields much
influence in the Presidency and he could assist a state at the press of a
button. Most of us were surprised that he is having issues in his state.”
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