In 2013, the NGF was split into two factions after Governor Amaechi was elected as its chairman but the presidency and the PDP high command refused to recognise the result. In response, the PDP opted to recognise Plateau State governor Jonah Jang as the NGF chair and the matter effectively paralysed the forum from then onwards.
With president-elect Muhammadu Buhari due to assume office on May 29, Governor Amaechi has called what will be the last meeting of the current NGF. However, the PDP governors' faction led by Governor Jang has kicked against the meeting, saying that it was self-serving and an attempt to foist an unacceptable leadership on the body.
Osaze Onaiwu, the administrator of the Jang-faction, said that the PDP governors would not attend the meeting. He added that those convening the meeting were the same people that caused problems in the NGF leading to its split.
According to Mr Onaiwu, if the PDP governors were to attend the meeting, it would be an indictment on President Goodluck Jonathan, who would then be seen as the person behind its crisis. He alleged that the All Progressive Congress (APC) governors’ motive for calling the meeting was indeed to indict President Jonathan.
Mr Oniawi said that the next set of governors must be allowed to reorganise the NGF and choose their own leaders. He added that Ashihana Okauru, the director-general of the Amaechi-led NGF faction had no right to write letters inviting the PDP governors to the meeting.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State had earlier expressed his opposition to the meeting, arguing that it would deny the in-coming governors an opportunity to partake in the selection of the leadership of the body. Once the new governors are sworn-in, they will be expected to elect a new NGF chairman with leading contenders including Governors Rochas Okorocha, Adams Oshiomole and Abdul'aziz Yari of Imo, Edo and Zamfara States the leading contenders.
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