Written by The Nation
Who occupies the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman’s seat at today’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja?
Today’s meeting is the first since the disputed NGF election, which was won by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 19 votes to beat Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who had 16.
It will be a challenge for Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is the chairman of the NEC.
While majority of the governors were last night pushing for Amaechi as the rightful occupant of the seat, the 16 governors supporting Jang were lobbying the Presidency to concede the seat to the Plateau State helmsmen.
It was learnt that pro-Amaechi governors may walk out of the NEC meeting if Jang is recognised as the NGF chairman.
A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The governors have shifted the battle over NGF chairmanship to the NEC meeting.
“As the chairman of NEC, the VP will face a major test today on who to recognise as the chairman of the NGF, who plays a pivotal role at the council meeting.
“If Sambo recognises Jang, it could cause a split in NEC and if he does not, he will be working at cross-purpose with his principal.
“The alternative is for Sambo to rely on the ongoing case in court and assume full control of the NEC session but some forces in the Presidency will not like it.”
A governor, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “The real battle for the NGF chairmanship will be at the NEC meeting. Nigerians will now see the two camps in their true colours.
“Apart from the fact that Amaechi was validly elected as the chairman of NGF, it will be subjudice for the VP to recognise Jang. There is a subsisting suit against Jang for claiming to be the NGF chairman.”
Another source in the Presidency said: “The government is trying to address this issue; we envisage a smooth session at the NEC meeting.”
Amaechi, who left the Presidential “Mid-tern dinner for tansformation team” before it closed last night at the Villa, spoke with reporters.
He said it would be undemocratic if he was suspended by the PDP because he won the NGF election.
Amaechi said: “If the PDP is suspending me for that reason, too bad. We must learn to be democratic. I am not aware that the party has given any reason for suspending me; if that is the reason, too bad. The party is yet to give any reason for my suspension. I am not aware that the party suspended me for winning an election.”
The governor said he was not aware of any faction in the NGF as he is the forum’s authentic chairman.
“Was NGF sick? I don’t know about factions. We are holding NGF meeting and we agreed that those of us who were there should honour the President and attend the dinner. We have attended; you saw all of them; some have left and I am leaving too.”
On the way forward, Amaechi said: “That is the question to ask Jang and those who are supporting him. Those with me are in the majority.”
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