By Ayo Kehinde
L:R: Gov Akeredolu of Ondo State, New NGF Chairman, Gov Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Deputy Chairman, Gov Tambuwal of Sokoto State and their Kano counterpart, Gov Ganduje of Kano State
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated the Governor of Ekiti State, H.E. Kayode Fayemi on his election as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The governor emerged the new chairman of the Forum through a consensus after a meeting held on Wednesday night in Abuja according to Gov. Abdul’aziz Yari of Zamfara, who is also the outgoing chairman of the forum.
Yari disclosed that Fayemi was nominated by Malam Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, seconded by the Governor of Delta, Ifeanyi Okowa and unanimously elected by the governors to lead the forum till 2021.
Yari added “Members also elected Gov. Aminu Tambwal of Sokoto State as the Vice Chairman of the forum from 2019 to 2021.”
He explained that Tambuwal was nominated by the Gov. Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos State and seconded by his Ondo State counterpart, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu.
In his acceptance speech, Fayemi thanked members for their kind gesture, saying, “We will build on commitment with strong partnership with the Federal Government as federating unit and trash out issues as amicably as possible, in the over all interest of the country.”
“Whatever we are going to do will be in overall interest of the nation in ensuring that our states are continuously strengthened.
” Our country derives the benefit of strong, dedicated states to our citizens and the partnership with all arms of government, development partners working with us in the over all interest of Nigeria.
The party said NGF’s unanimous election of Fayemi to lead the Forum till 2021 is indeed a right choice judging by Fayemi’s proven record of progressive leadership and experience as a development expert, minister, governor, among other endeavours.
In a statement, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, National Publicity Secretary said, “since its establishment, the non-partisan Nigeria Governors’ Forum has been a strategic partner in deepening democracy and entrenching good governance in the country. We are confident that the NGF under Fayemi’s leadership will continue in this best practice by cooperating and supporting the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration in delivering on the Change Agenda for Nigerians, particularly as the country gears up for the next four year of the administration’s renewed mandate.
