Nigeria: NGF Splits as Jang Holds Meeting With 17 Governors

Indications that the once united, strong and influential Nigeria Governors' Forum may have split into two factions emerged Saturday in Abuja as Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State led some governors to hold what they called the first inaugural meeting of the new NGF leadership. Jang has been claiming emergence as NGF chairman, despite his defeat by Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, who was re-elected as chairman of the forum at an election held on Friday. The Plateau State governor's basis is a typed endorsement letter signed by 19 pro-presidency governors before the poll, where his name was filled in after his selection as the party's consensus candidate. But Amaechi had defeated Jang by 19 to 16 votes at the election proper. The Rivers State governor described his victory as a proof that the country's democracy is working and a reaffirmation of the unity of the governors.

"Today the governors have spoken with one voice reaffirming our faith in democratic governance as the hope of Nigeria's future," he said. The governor added: "We remain committed to supporting our leader, the President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, to realise the development dream of all Nigerians by reducing tension, uncertainty and insecurity in our beloved country. But THISDAY gathered that the Presidency may recognise the Jang group as the authentic body of governors. It is gathered that the Jang group of governors may pay an official visit to President Goodluck Jonathan immediately after his return from the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia continued