Governor Rotimi Amaechi
There are fresh indications that the presidency is currently initiating a fresh move to ensure that Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi does not return as Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, NGF.
It was learnt that ahead of the fifth meeting of the NGF schedule for Wednesday, 15 state Governors met with President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday night in Abuja to decide the fate of the embattled Rivers State Governor.
Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State led the delegation which had Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State as the only non PDP Governor in attendance.
Insiders disclosed that the Forum which was preceded by a special dinner was “essentially to mobilise support for the emergence of Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Shema as the next chairman of the NGF.”
He said, “We have been able to secure the understanding of our Governors especially our brothers from the North. I believe for the sake of balance, it makes a lot of sense to have a northern PDP Governor as chairman of the NGF because we already have Governor Akpabio, a Southerner as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum.”
The dependable choice who craved anonymous added that members of the NGF in opposition political parties were 10 out of the 36 governors in the country.
He added that at least two Governors in the opposition parties were likely to throw their weight behind any candidate supported by the PDP.
Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, said that Presidency’s interest was to uphold the rule of law.
According to him, President Jonathan as a loyal member of the PDP, will be delighted to have another PDP governor taking over from Amaechi as the NGF chairman as his tenure expires in no distant time.
Gulak said the President was ready to work with any of the governors of the PDP that would eventually replace the Rivers State governor.
Asked if Jonathan would be ready to work with the embattled chairman of the NGF if re-elected, the presidential aide said the issue of re-election of Amaechi did not arise.
Gulak said, “The fact that the President met with the PDP governors was an indication that he is united with the governors. When has it become an aberration for him to meet the governors?
“It is not about removing Amaechi. Amaechi’s tenure as NGF chairman is ending this April, so nobody is talking about his removal. When Bukola Saraki’s tenure ended, he handed over to Amaechi. Since Amaechi’s tenure is ending too, he must hand over to somebody else.
“The President is interested in any PDP governor, not necessarily Shema, taking over from Amaechi at the expiration of his tenure. There is no re-election for Amaechi. His tenure has expired except if he wants to extend his tenure and there is no tenure elongation in the NGF.”
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