NGF: Governors Kick Out Saraki As Chairman
Governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP early this morning announced the removal of Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State as the Chairman of the highly influential Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF.
He has been replaced by Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the governor of Ogun State.
The NGF is an association of the 36 state governors of Nigeria, though PDP state chief executives have been most active members of the forum.
Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State who announced this to journalists this morning said Governor Saraki was removed because of his involvement in the 2011 presidential race.
According to him, Saraki’s declaration for the presidency has crippled the Forum such that it cannot react to important national issues in a timely manner.
He cited the example of the recent bomb blast which he said the NGF cannot respond to in a timely manner.
The Benue State Governor however said this will be corrected by the appointment of Daniel as the Chairman of NGF.
However, a spokesperson for the Kwara State Governor has dismissed the story of removal of Saraki arguing that it is only the Secretariat of NGF that can change the Chairman.
He said he is not aware that the NGF secretariat met yesterday.
He however added that Saraki himself has been planning to step down as the Chairman of NGF to enable him concentrate on his presidential ambition.
By Oluokun Ayorinde
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