Photo credits: PUNCH |
by John
Alechenu
AHEAD
of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum’s next meeting, lobbying for the chairmanship
of the body has heightened, The PUNCH gathered on Monday.
The
different camps interested in who heads the 36-member forum, our correspondent
learnt, were not leaving anything to chance.
A
source in the anti-Governor Rotimi Amaechi camp confided in our correspondent
that the declaration of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states had
altered the game plan.
The
source said, “The state of emergency declared by the President has altered the
calculations among avowed Amaechi’s supporters.
“They
now know that opposing the President on this one is a risky business.
“When
he said he would contest, we knew that he did not realise that his options were
narrowing and his support base was being depleted.”
However,
a source in the pro-Amaechi camp said the governor had not lost hope.
He
said, “We are aware that the other camp is playing a mind game.
“They
have been using subtle threats as well as promises to try to sway governors who
they know are championing Ameachi’s cause.
“If
you listen carefully to the address of Chief Tony Anenih in Asaba, you will
agree with me that they want Amaechi out by all means. Our confidence is in the
fact that Amaechi’s work as NGF Chairman speaks for itself.
“This
fight is not personal, he is fighting for the independence of the forum from
federal control so that governors can choose to be independent or continue to
subject themselves to the whims of an individual.”
Governors
Babaginda Aliyu (Niger State); Sule Lamido (Jigawa); and Aliyu Wamakko
(Sokoto), among others are said to be championing Amaechi cause, while Godswill
Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Gabriel Suswam (Benue); and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), are
reportedly rooting for another leader for the forum.
The
alleged rift between Amaechi and President Goodluck Jonathan over 2015 election
is also said to have caused the creation of the Peoples Democratic Party
Governors’ Forum chaired by Akpabio.
Culled from PUNCH
No comments:
Post a Comment