LEGISREPORTS NG – The Governor of Rivers State,
Rotimi Amaechi, has sent a strong warning to his Plateau State
counterpart, Governor Jonah Jang to desist from impersonating him as
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The warning came in a statement issued following Ameachi’s call on
Governors to shun a meeting of members of the NGF scheduled to hold on
Monday by Governor Jang who considers himself Chairman of the forum.
According to Ameachi, the power to summon a meeting of members the
NGF resides solely in his grip as the elected Chairman of the forum,
thereby making void Jang’s call.
The Rivers State Governor further described Jang’s decision to summon
a meeting of Governors in the NGF as a move that impugns on the
integrity of the body.
He said: “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 Thursday, May 23,
2013.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I as chairman of the NGF have not called
for any Governors’ Forum meeting for Monday, June 16, 2013. The only
meeting scheduled for Monday June 16, 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.”
Governor Ameachi further drew Governor Jang’s attention to the legal
action instituted against him as a result of the latter parading himself
as Chair of the NGF.
“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.
He added that “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.”
This report was prepared by our reporter in Abuja
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