The first major battle for leadership of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) is brewing as both factions led by Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and Jonah Jang of Plateau State are talking tough over whether a govenors meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 17.
The NGF split last month following a controversial election which threw up Amaechi as chairman. But a a faction led by Jang claimed there was no election but that the traditional of selection by consensus of the governors saw to his (Jang) emergence as chairman of the forum.
However, the recent crisis was sequel to meeting summoned by Jang as a fall out of the prolong back and forth between the federal and state governments over what the states allege is an illegal deduction from the federation account and excess crude account by the federal government.
The state commissioners of finance had walked out on the minister of state for finance over the matter last week, prompting Jang to summon the meeting billed for 6pm at their new secretariat in Maitama, Abuja. The governors are billed to meet the president later by 9pm to table their position on the matter.
However, some pro-Amaechi governors have vowed not to attend the meeting, saying they would rather head to the villa by the appointed time to see President Goodluck Jonathan over the issue.
But a source told Pointblanknews.com, that the Jang faction has notified all the governors of the meeting.
The source said ” we have put everything in place for the meeting. We are not perturbed by the posturing of Amaechi and his group. What matters is that the president knows who the chairman of the forum is, which is Jonah Jang.
“After the meeting we will head to the villa and meet the president so as to find a lasting solution to this problem.”
Amaechi however said he has not summoned any meeting and accused Jang of impersonating him.
Amaechi in a release said “on Saturday June 15 and Sunday June 16, reports in the media credited to my brother governor, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State announced that he has called for a Nigeria Governors’ Forum meeting. Ordinarily I would have ignored these reports as I do not imagine that as governors who hold our people’s mandate through the democratic process of free and fair elections, we would do anything to impugn our integrity.
“However as chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, elected by my colleagues to safeguard their integrity and that of the forum it has become imperative for me to request my brother and Governor Jang to remain within the confines of decorum and cease to impersonate me and to stop parading himself as NGF chairman. There is only one chairman of the forum, duly elected by a vote tally of 19: 16 on Friday, May 24, 2013.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I as chairman of the NGF have not called for any Governors’ Forum meeting for Monday, June 17, 2013. The only meeting scheduled for Monday June 17, is a meeting of all Governors with His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan scheduled to hold at 9pm at Aso Rock Villa. All governors should please ensure attendance at this meeting with Mr. President.
“I wish to reassure my brother governors that this storm shall pass and we all will be reunited as one family committed to our nation’s unity and supporting Mr. President in his vision for a Nigeria that safeguards the rights of all its citizens to good governance and democratic norms.
“Governor Jang is my brother and friend and I harbor no ill feelings against him, but it is important that he stops this impersonation, as it could threaten all the good work we all have done together.
“May I remind Governor Jang that there is a legal action that has been instituted against him by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State from parading himself as the chairman of NGF. As leaders elected by our people, Nigerians are closely watching us. We must comport our selves according the dictates and principles of democratic and lawful practices and norms.”
While both camps have severally pledge to reconcile, in the aftermath of the election sparked crisis, a suit has been filed by the Lagos State governor, Babatunde Fashola asking Jang to stop parading himself as chairman.