Resolve your differences, says Jonathan
Vice President Namadi Sambo on Saturday evening formally received the factional chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau state at his Akinola Aguda House in the Presidential Villa.
Jang, who is believed to be the choice of the Presidency was presented to the Vice President by the duo of Governors Godswil Akpabio of Akwa Ibom and Isa Yuguda of Bauchi.
It will be recalled that after the Forum’s election on Friday at Rivers lodge the incumbent chairman, Governor Rotimi Amaechi emerged winner having polled 19 votes as aginst Governor Jang’s 16 votes.
Interestingly, as the presentation was going on, Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati in far away Addis Ababa, Ethiopia issued a statement, warning the media to desist from portraying President Goodluck Jonathan as an interested party in the succession process of the NGF.
“We have noted with regret the mischievous effort by sections of the mass media to portray President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as an interested party and the main loser in yesterday’s election of the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).
“Contrary to the impression of Presidential partisanship and interference in the affairs of the Governors Forum erroneously conveyed by some headlines in the media today, President Jonathan who is currently leading Nigeria’s delegation to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa had no preferred candidate in the NGF elections and could therefore not have been “floored” by any other candidate as some newspapers sensationally reported.
“President Jonathan has the greatest possible respect for the Nigerian Governors Forum as an independent body of mature, responsible, and knowledgeable elected political leaders who have a critical role to play in strengthening democratic governance in the country, and who are quite capable of running their own affairs without being tele-guided, as some media reports misleadingly implied.
“The President has always shown a willingness to work harmoniously with any leadership freely and independently chosen by the Governors Forum for the collective progress and development of all sections of the country and will continue to do so.
“He has not in the present instance or ever before, interfered in elections to leadership positions in the Governors Forum. Reports in the media which convey that impression are totally off the mark and the handiwork of mischievous individuals and groups with the intention of sowing the seeds of discord and disunity in the polity.
“President Jonathan trusts that as true democrats and respected national political leaders, members of the Governors Forum will quickly resolve the issues and differences amongst them which emerged yesterday and continue to contribute effectively to national development as a strong and progressive body,” Abati’s statement read in full.
Earlier in the day, Governor Jang had conveyed the maiden meeting of his faction of the NGF at the Benue state Governor’s lodge in Abuja. He thanked stakeholders for the confidence reposed in him, vowing to work in the interest of the Forum and the country.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Governors Jonah Jang and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo as chairman and Vice Chairman respectively read in part, “The chairman of the NGF, Governor Jonah Jang vows to unite members of the Forum, work for the interest of the Forum and country.
“The Forum restates its commitment to continue being a platform for peer review, productive and collaborative engagement with all levels of government. The Forum also resolves to continue to encourage and collaborate with Mr. President to restore peace and security in the country”.
On the attendance list were Governors Jonah Jang (Plateau); Idris Wada (Kogi); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Isa Yuguda (Bauchi); Theodore Orji (Abia); Ibrahim Shema (Katsina); Mukhtar Yero (Kaduna); Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta); Garba Umar (Taraba); Liyel Imoke (Cross River); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa); Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara); Peter Obi (Anambra); Mimiko (Ondo); Sulivan Chime (Enugu); Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Thaanod Rubainu (Deputy Gov. Gombe).
