Governors Form Committee to Push Collective Agenda

By Dipo Olowookere

A committee to ensure all Governors of the 36 states of the federation speak with one voice and further stamp their authority in the country has been set up by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).

It would be recalled that the forum became a formidable force in the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan when the present Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, headed the group as the then Governor of Kwara State.

Also during the late President Musa Yar’Adua administration, the NGF joined forces with the National Assembly to ensure the cabals allow one of their own, Mr Jonathan, who once governed Bayelsa State before becoming late Yar’Adua’s Vice, become the Acting President.

Many will also not forget how the forum played a part in ousting the then ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), from power by first leading its powerful members, led by Mr Saraki, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated the PDP at the polls.

On Thursday night, members of the NGF met at the Maitama residence of Zamfara State Governor, Mr Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, who is Chairman of the forum.

At the meeting, the Governors resolved to work harmoniously in a manner that would transcend all political affiliations so that all Governors would speak with one voice on issues of national importance.

To achieve this, a committee made up of the Governors of Imo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ekiti, Kano, Nasarawa and Bauchi was constituted to work for the “reconciliation of the forum and the betterment of the country.”

“There is no how you’d mention any political development in Nigeria without mentioning Governors. Governors are a bloc and a key component of this democracy.

“Therefore, we have set up a seven-man committee to look into the development surrounding the unity of the forum and the development of the country. The idea is for Governors to be speaking with one voice,” Governor Yari said.