Governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress are perfecting strategies to oppose the nomination of Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, as the Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.It was learnt that members of the NGF who are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, ahead of the National Economic Forum meeting on Thursday, are likely to select a deputy chairman.
Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, was unanimously chosen as the chairman following the expiration of the tenure of ex-Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
A reliable source in the Progressives Governors’ Forum confided in our correspondent that the governors in the PGF received a hint that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party is pushing for Fayose’s candidacy “to spite” the APC.
The source said, “You know the level of antagonism suffered by our party and President (Muhammadu) Buhari before, during and after the elections in the hands of governor Fayose.
“Having him as deputy chairman of the NGF is like rewarding him for his indiscretions; PGF governors are poised to block his emergence.”
Those opposed to Fayose argue that his kind of politics is divisive and should not be allowed to take the centre stage.
They recalled his stiff opposition to Buhari especially during the presidential campaigns and immediately after the victory of the APC.
Chairman of the PGF, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, could not be reached for comments. His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeobi, explained that his boss travelled to the UK and would also move over to the United States as a member of President Muhammadu Buhari’s delegation.
He said, “His Excellency has travelled out of the country. He went to the UK and will also go to the US to join the President’s delegation.”
Reacting to the development, the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abdullahi Jalo said, if there was any position meant to be occupied by a PDP governor, the ruling APC has no right to dictate which of the PDP’s governors should occupy it.
Jalo added, “The PDP as a political party has the right to nominate and support any of its governors to occupy any position given to the party.
“The issue of some governors opposing a governor chosen by our governors to represent them does not even arise. It is entirely our business as a party to choose anyone of our members we feel can best represent our interest anywhere at any time.”
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