By Shola Abayomi.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has emerged as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum.
Nominated by the Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, with his Delta State counterpart Ifeanyi Okowa seconding his nomination, Fayemi was chosen by a consensus.
The Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal will act as Fayemi’s deputy in the governor’s forum.
Announcing the new leadership of the Forum, the outgoing chairman Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State thanked the governors for their trust.
Fayemi promised to work for the collective interest of Nigerians by building on the strong partnership with the federal government as led by Yari. He also assured that the Forum will work regardless of party affiliations and ensure the partnership with the federal government, legislature and development partners will be in the interest of all.
This is the first time a South West governor has emerged as the chairman of the NGF. Since its inception 20 years ago, the Southwest, the Northeast and the Southeast have not chaired the forum.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State had earlier advocated that the rotation principle should apply in the emergence of the next NGF chairman.
The former chairmen of the forum include : Alh. Abdullahi Adamu, (Nasarawa, 1999 – 2004), Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom State, 2004 -2006), Chief Lucky Igbinedion (Edo, 2006 – 2007), Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (Kwara, 2007- 2011), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers, 2011 -2015) and Abdulaziz Yari (2015-2019).